Main Street Matters

The United States just recorded its largest improvement in economic freedom in more than two decades, according to the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom. What’s driving the turnaround—and what does it mean for small businesses and economic growth? On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Heritage Foundation Chief Economist EJ Antoni to break down the key factor...

Is the U.S. economy slowing down—or just going through a volatile transition? On this episode of Main Street Matters , Elaine Parker sits down with Breitbart economics editor  John Carney to break down the latest economic headlines affecting small businesses and American workers. Carney analyzes the shocking 92,000-job loss in the latest jobs report , why the numbers may be worse than t...

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Bruce De Torres, communications director for the American Small Business League and host of the podcast Reality with Bruce De Torres, to discuss the real challenges facing America’s small businesses. With 99.9% of U.S. businesses classified as small businesses, Bruce explains why many Main Street...

What does the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on tariffs mean for America’s small businesses—and for President Trump’s broader trade agenda? On this episode of Main Street Matters: America’s Small Business Megaphone , host Jordan Bruneau , Vice President of the Job Creators Network, sits down with economic expert Steve Bonta , publisher of The New American , to unpack t...

Country artist turned entrepreneur Andy Ross joins Main Street Matters to share his journey from bow hunting and television to building American Rebel , one of the fastest-growing patriotic lifestyle brands in America. Elaine Parker sits down with Ross to explore how a passion for music and freedom evolved into a multi-industry business spanning gun safes, apparel, and American-made beer. From lau...

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar business—and why do global entrepreneurs still choose America to do it? In this episode of Main Street Matters , Elaine Parker sits down with serial entrepreneur Chad Zani, whose journey spans continents, industries, and multiple high-growth ventures. From buying his first home at 19 to scaling a company to a $1 billion exit , Chad shares th...

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations—at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it’s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families. Dr. Savage explains why...

Housing affordability is collapsing for America’s middle class—and small businesses are feeling the impact. On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers. With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 millio...

January’s jobs report just shattered expectations—and it could signal a major turning point for the U.S. economy. On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wa...

Healthcare was supposed to protect families and small businesses—not bankrupt them. On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Firouz Daneshgari, a former surgeon-scientist and hospital board member at major health systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand how financial incentives began out...

Corporate America didn’t “go woke” overnight—it was pushed there through ESG and DEI mandates driven by powerful asset managers, proxy advisors, and activist investors. In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network is joined by Allen Mendenhall, Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at the Heritage Foundation. Mendenhall break...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with economist Peter St. Onge for a clear-eyed look at the economic pressures facing small businesses and working families. They break down how persistent inflation and high interest rates are impacting Main Street, why Federal Reserve policy decisions matter more than ever, and what today’s economic data often misses about real...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with financial expert Mark J. Quann to break down how Trump-era tax cuts and the Buy, Borrow, Die strategy can help everyday Americans legally keep more of what they earn. Mark explains the critical difference between good debt and bad debt, why traditional saving alone often falls short, and how strategic borrowing and investing can...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer for an in-depth conversation on small business, conservative governance, and economic recovery. Mayor Singer shares his journey from entrepreneur to public servant, explaining how a pro-business mindset shaped his leadership at the local level.  The discussion covers cutting red tape, streamlini...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Robert Netzly, founder and CEO of Inspire Impact Group, discussing the principles of Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI). Robert shares his journey from a traditional financial planner to advocating for investments aligned with biblical values. The conversation explores the growing awareness among investors about the moral implica...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Jordan Bruneau sits down with E.J. Antoni, Chief Economist at the Heritage Foundation, to break down one of the most overlooked drivers of today’s economic growth: deregulation. While tax cuts and energy policy often dominate economic headlines, Antoni explains why deregulation has quietly powered hiring, profitability, and expansion—especially f...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker is joined by Holly Swenson for an in-depth conversation on the rapid rise of homeschooling in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elaine and Holly explore why more families are rethinking traditional education, highlighting the growing demand for parental empowerment, flexibility, and individualized learning. Holly shares her personal homes...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Chuck Barnum, Chief Marketing Officer of Freedom Chamber, to discuss how the organization is empowering America’s small businesses through advocacy, networking, and innovative healthcare solutions. Chuck explains the launch of the Freedom Chamber, including its new Health Guardianship Plan designed to give entrepreneurs and...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker is joined by journalist and author Dennis Kneale for a wide-ranging discussion on the economic and social crises unfolding in New York City and Oregon. They examine how progressive policies, high taxes, and burdensome regulations are impacting small businesses, fueling homelessness, and driving residents out of major cities. The conversation ex...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Brian Reisinger to examine how U.S. trade policies are impacting family farmers across the country. They break down the long-term effects of NAFTA, the reality of modern trade barriers, and why many farmers are “land rich, cash poor” despite owning valuable property. Reisinger explains why one-size-fits-all trade agre...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Jonathan Williams discuss the latest Rich States, Poor States report, highlighting the economic successes of states like Utah and the challenges faced by states at the bottom of the rankings. They delve into the importance of fiscal responsibility, the need for pension reform, and the impact of government spending on state economies. The co...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Guy Berkebile, founder of Guy Chemical Company, about the significant impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on small businesses. They discuss Berkebile's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced, and how tax policies have enabled him to invest in his company and community. The conversation also touches on the importance of ret...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Jeremiah Poff of the Washington Examiner discuss the challenges faced by millennials and Gen Z in achieving home ownership and building wealth. They explore the economic shifts from a production-driven economy to a consumption-driven one, the impact of inflation on housing prices, and the role of student debt in economic mobility. The conve...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Michele Steeb, founder of the Free Up Foundation, about the ongoing homeless crisis in America. They discuss the impact of homelessness on communities, the failures of past policies, and the importance of a human-first approach to addressing the issue. Michele shares insights from her experience running a shelter for homeless women...

In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Elaine Parker sits down with Erika Donalds of the America First Policy Institute to examine the future of education in America. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence in education can personalize learning, support teachers, and help students recover from COVID-era learning loss. They discuss innovative teaching methods, the role of educat...