The Sweet Tea Series

Hospitality, kindness, politics, and culture. What do all of those things have in common? They all start at the dinner table.  In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with southern hostess, writer, and business owner Lisa Zook to discuss the difference between entertaining and true hospitality and why bringing people back to the dinner table matters. Lisa explains how fe...

Why is homeownership becoming increasingly difficult for Texans and what can Texas do to make housing more affordable? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Jose Melendez, campaign director for TPPF’s Taxpayer Protection Project and Government Reform and Oversight Coalition, to discuss the housing affordability crisis facing young families, renters, and essential...

What do nutrition, screen time, stress, and everyday childhood experiences do to a developing brain? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo is joined by Dr. Delia McCabe, whose work brings together psychology, nutrition, and neuroscience, to explore how parents can help raise healthy, resilient kids. Dr. McCabe explains how nutrition supports brain development and neuroplasticity...

How is rural Texas changing and what does this mean for the future of rural Texas? In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Texas State Representative Helen Kerwin to discuss her journey from small-town flower shop owner to mayor, county commissioner, and now state legislator. They discuss the everchanging landscape of rural Texas due to datacenter development. They also unpack the importan...

How are Islamist networks attempting to gain influence in Texas? In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Selene Rodriguez, Campaign Director for TPPF's Defeating Islamist Radicalization campaign, to discuss the growing threat of Islamist radicalization. From foreign funding and campus organizations to the exploitation of legal loopholes, Selene explains how Islamist networks operate across...

Why are young Americans giving up on dating, marriage, and family? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Hannah Bruck, Campaign Director for the Family Success Project at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and host of The Family Front podcast, to discuss the state of marriage, dating, and family formation in America. From dating apps to declining marriage rates, s...

Are Americans losing the ability and desire to read? In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Cameron Abrams, Policy Analyst for the Next Generation Texas campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to discuss America’s declining reading habits and what the shift away from literature means for education and culture. From shrinking attention spans and algorithm-driven content to the decl...

After years of failing both students and educators, is it time to change the way we are teaching the teachers? In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Kate Bierly, Director of the Next Generation Texas Campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to discuss her latest research on schools of education and how they've failed both teachers and students. From grade inflation, declining acad...

How did Brooke go from numerous procedures and thyroid cancer to fighting for transparency and accountability for Texans on the policy side of healthcare? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with TPPF's Brooke Garner, Policy Scholar of the Healthy Texas Initiative, to discuss her personal journey through America's healthcare system and why she's now working to reform...

Can the city really fine $915,000 for cutting down trees on your own property? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Laura Beth Latimer, attorney with the Center for the American Future (CAF), to discuss how local governments across America are increasingly overstepping their authority and what citizens can do to fight back. They dive into various cases from a Cal...

How can young Americans start using financial literacy today to set themselves up for financial success later in life? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Ashley B. Cash, education advocate, business owner, and host of The Ashley B. Cash Show, to discuss why financial literacy may be one of the most important life skills missing from today's education system. Fr...

How can parents protect their children in an increasingly digital world? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Senator Angela Paxton at the Texas GOP Convention to discuss child safety, parental empowerment, family policy, and the growing role parents play in shaping legislation.

How have America’s universities gone from centers of learning to institutions facing growing questions about accountability, civic education, and student outcomes? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Dr. Tom Lindsay, Distinguished Senior Fellow of Higher Education at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to discuss the state of higher education in Texas and across...

How did America’s schools, media, universities, and cultural institutions become so radically different in just a few generations? In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Mandy Drogin, Senior Fellow of Government Reform at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to break down the history and strategy behind “The Long March Through the Institutions” — the decades-long ef...

In this episode of the Sweet Tea Series, TPPF’s Ariana Guajardo sits down with Savannah Craven, creator of Her Patriot Voice and a major voice in the pro-life movement. The two discuss Savannah’s viral “man-on-the-street” interviews, conservative living in New York City, and the cultural pressures surrounding abortion, feminism, and women’s empowerment.

In this episode, TPPF's Ariana Guajardo interviews Sara Huff, Brazil’s former most prolific feminist and pro-choice advocate. Sara breaks down her powerful transformation from radical feminist to pro-life activist, sharing her journey through feminist bootcamps, the traumatic abortion that changed everything, and how she left the movement. The ladies also chat about motherhood, her new nonprofit R...

In this episode, TPPF's Ariana Guajardo interviews Tyler Bertola, founder and president of United Gen USA. Tyler breaks down launching United Gen USA,  a media organization that connects emerging conservative voices with future voters with an emphasis on policy education. The ladies also chat about motherhood, Tyler's journey into conservatism, and the lies of feminism.

In today’s episode of the Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo takes a closer look at the growing conversation surrounding Cesar Chavez after a New York Times article exposed his alleged grooming and abuse of girls. Ariana breaks down the story and explains why there never should have been a Cesar Chavez Day to begin with. Ariana sheds light on the hidden socialist agenda promoted by Cesar Chavez and...

In this episode, TPPF's Ariana Guajardo interviews Ashley Lands, CEO of Provincial Leisure and co-founder of The VIP Guy. Ashley breaks down launching her new member intercept platform, The VIP Guy, and shares why Texas is the ultimate spot for business. The ladies also chat about imposter syndrome, entrepreneurship, accountability hacks, networking, and her best advice for getting into business a...

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, TPPF's Hannah Bruck and Lily Kate Cole, a Gen Z conservative influencer, unpack the barriers to marriage and family. They discuss feminism as well as the effects of social media and dating apps on modern dating.

In this special "Iced Tea" episode of The Sweet Tea Series, host Ariana Guajardo sits down with Luisa Deason, former public affairs officer for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They explore the rising violence against ICE agents in blue cities, immigration enforcement, and cartel exploitation. Plus, advice for women on understanding our nation's secur...

In this special Texas Independence Day episode of The Sweet Tea Series, host Ariana Guajardo welcomes back Joshua Trevino, Chief Transformation Officer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and expert on Texas history, to explore the enduring ethos of the cowboy—from its Spanish roots to its role in forging Texas through wars, frontiers, and bravery. They dive into stories of heroic men and women...

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, host Ariana Guajardo welcomes Sherry Sylvester, a veteran journalist and Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, for a compelling exploration of women's pivotal role in grassroots political movements across the ideological spectrum. Sylvester shares insights into women's historical and modern leadership in activism, contrasting liberal-driven e...

Ariana Guajardo welcomes viral French comedian and content creator Eros Brousson to The Sweet Tea Series. Eros shares why he's trading France for Texas to launch his dream bakery in. He sheds light on the business crushing taxes and cultural pushback on success in France, contrasted by Texas's massive economy, supportive culture, and genuine kindness. Follow Eros: @erosbrousson on TikTok, Instagra...

The Sweet Tea Series Valentine's Special featuring host Ariana Guajardo and her husband Tony Guajardo.  The two react to the debate between Pearl Davis and Ana Kasparian, answering Pearl's question: what do men get out of marriage? Ariana and Tony reflect on their own marriage, provide tips and encouragement to singles, and give insights into what makes a fruitful marriage. Tune into this episode...