Show-Me Institute Podcast

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Virginia (Ginny) Gentles, director of the Education Freedom and Parental Rights Initiative at the Defense of Freedom Institute, about the future of the Department of Education given recent remarks from the incoming administration about abolishing the department. They discuss the implications for American education policy, explore the potential impact on parental right...

James Shuls, David Stokes, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to discuss what the latest test scores reveal about Missouri schools, the debate over a four-day school week as a budget solution, Town and Country’s controversial property tax increase, opposition to a comprehensive plan in Cole Camp, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Download the full 2025 Blueprint here: https://bit.ly/4iiQdBr In this episode, Susan Pendergrass, James Shuls, Elias Tsapelas, Aaron Hedlund, David Stokes, Patrick Tuohey, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to discuss The 2025 Blueprint: Moving Missouri Forward. They discuss topics like statewide school choice, income tax reform, local government transparency, Missouri's Taxpayer Bill of Rights, nu...

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Jude Schwalbach, policy analyst at the Reason Foundation, about his report Public Schools Without Boundaries: 2024. They discuss how open enrollment policies are reshaping K–12 education by allowing students to attend public schools outside of their assigned districts, examine why Missouri ranks poorly in supporting open enrollment, highlighting significant areas for...

Read the full report here: https://www.primecenter.org/education-reports-database/homeschooling Susan Pendergrass speaks with Dr. Collin Hitt, Executive Director of the SLU PRiME Center and co-author of the paper Taking Attendance: Estimating Homeschooling Populations in States Without Official Homeschool Data—A Pilot Analysis in Missouri. Dr. Hitt shares insights into the challenges of estimating...

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3UE4wXf Susan Pendergrass speaks with Martin F. Lueken, Director of the Fiscal Research and Education Center at EdChoice, about the findings of his report Fiscal Effects of School Choice: The Costs and Savings of Private School Choice Programs in America through FY 2022. Marty shares insights into how school choice programs have financially impacted state...

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Charles M. Silver, professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, and David Hyman, professor at Georgetown Law, about their proposal for reforming Medicare by giving money directly to patients instead of providers. They explain how fraudulent practices like 'upcoding' are draining taxpayer dollars, driving up healthcare costs, and offer solutions to red...

Read David's full report here: https://bit.ly/3NuEfX6 In this episode, James V. Shuls speaks with David Stokes, Director of Municipal Policy at the Show-Me Institute, about his recent report, A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities. They discuss the benefits of applying free-market principles to local governance. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Jenny Clark, Founder & CEO of Love Your School, about the experience of navigating Arizona's Education Savings Account (ESA) Program from a parent's perspective. Jenny shares her personal journey as a mother of five in Arizona and how her family has utilized a variety of schooling options to fit each child's unique needs. She explains the flexibility ESA programs offe...

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to discuss: Missouri’s Amendment 6, the Kirkwood sales tax vote, the state’s minimum wage proposition, the return of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

See Charles live on October 9 in St. Charles, MO Tickets and details: bit.ly/3BtZ2r3 Susan Pendergrass speaks with Charles C. W. Cooke, senior editor at National Review, about the growing trend of federal centralization and its threat to the U.S. federalist system. They discuss how the founders intended for states and local communities to have control over their governance, and why the push to con...

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Jeff Asher, data analyst and co-founder of AH Datalytics, about the Real-Time Crime Index (RTCI). They discuss how the RTCI provides a near real-time look at crime trends across the U.S. by sampling data from hundreds of law enforcement agencies. Jeff explains the challenges of working with incomplete and imprecise data, the methodology for standardizing crime statist...

James V. Shuls speaks with Crosby Kemper III, former director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, executive director of the Kansas City Public Library, and co-founder and former chairman of the Show-Me Institute, about the role of American institutions in shaping culture. They explore the impact of libraries, museums, and other cultural pillars on society, the ways in which these inst...

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Patrick Tuohey, senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute, about the Kansas City 33 School District's recent proposal to issue $424 million in bonds for building improvements. Despite a significant decline in enrollment and a previous failed bond referendum, KCPS is asking taxpayers to fund this initiative through increased property taxes. They discuss whether new buildi...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Charles Fain Lehman, fellow at the Manhattan Institute, about his recent report titled "Doing Less with Less Crime and Punishment in Washington, DC." They explore the factors contributing to the rise in violent crime and public disorder, the impact of reduced law enforcement capacity, the broader implications for public safety, potential reforms to im...

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to discuss: a Missouri Taxpayer Bill of Rights, St. Louis County considering adopting a 'county manager' form of government, what the latest test scores tell us about Missouri schools, and more. Read the Taxpayer Bill or Rights here: https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/taxes/a-taxpayer-bill-of-rights-for-missouri/ Produced by Show...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Jude Schwalbach, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Reason Foundation, about his recent article on the urgent need for school districts to either reduce staffing or consolidate to survive. They discuss the financial pressures facing many districts due to declining enrollment, the tough decisions schools must make to remain viable, the potential benefits o...

In this episode, James V. Shuls speaks with Michael Q. McShane, Director of National Research at EdChoice and Senior Fellow of Education Policy at the Show-Me Institute, about his latest paper, 'Why Markets Matter in Education.' They explore the growing role of market forces in education, the benefits of choice and competition for schools and students, the impact of educational marketplaces on inn...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass talks with Patrick Tuohey, Senior Fellow at the Show-Me Institute, about the Missouri-Kansas border war over economic development incentives. They discuss how the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals reignited the subsidies battle between the states, the effects on local economies, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Daniel DiSalvo, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a professor of political science in the Colin Powell School at the City College of New York–CUNY, about his recent report on the policy response to declining public school enrollment. They explore the causes behind the drop in student numbers, the effectiveness of current educational polic...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with James V. Shuls, Director of Research and Senior Fellow at the Show-Me Institute, and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, about the history and impact of the school choice movement. They discuss Shuls' recent paper, "The Father of the School Choice Movement," which highlights the oft...

James V. Shuls speaks with Russell S. Sobel, Professor of Economics and Entrepreneurship at the Baker School of Business at The Citadel, about his latest paper, "Why Markets Matter for Human Progress & Prosperity." They discuss how free markets drive innovation, prosperity, and human flourishing, the historical context of market-based economies, the pitfalls of government intervention, the long-te...

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Elias Tsapelas, Director of State Budget and Fiscal Policy at the Show-Me Institute, about his recent report, "Missouri's Hancock Amendment: A Primer." They discuss the historical context and significance of the Hancock Amendment, its impact on Missouri’s fiscal policy, what can be done to improve protections for Missouri taxpayers, and more. Read the full report here...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Stephane Lavertu, Professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University and a Senior Research Fellow at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the so-called "fiscal cliff" in public education funding. They discuss the idea that returning to pre-pandemic funding levels constitutes a crisis, the implications of declining student...

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Judge Glock, the Director of Research and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and a contributing editor at City Journal, about the ongoing attempts to address homelessness through housing policy. They explore the effectiveness of current housing initiatives, the challenges in implementing effective policy solutions, innovative approaches to re...