The Empower Podcast

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 centuries later. They discuss the revolutionary claim that all people are created equal, the belief that rights come from God rather than government, and how those principles launched the American...

For years, Empower Mississippi has focused on removing external barriers to opportunity. But what if some of the barriers holding people back aren't external at all?   In this episode, Grant sits down with licensed professional counselor Dr. Brandon Henry to explore the internal obstacles that often prevent people from flourishing: trauma, shame, addiction, fear, loneliness, and destructive patter...

On this episode of the  Empower Podcast , State Rep. Otis Anthony joins Grant for a wide-ranging conversation about poverty, work, education, economic development, and the future of the Mississippi Delta.   Anthony shares how growing up in Indianola shaped his view of public service, why he believes the Delta's greatest asset is its people, and what it will take to create more opportunity in one o...

What does it take for a struggling city to turn the corner?   In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant Callen sits down with urban strategist and entrepreneur Josh McManus to discuss the rise, decline, and revitalization of American cities, and why he believes Jackson still has enormous potential.   Drawing on decades of work in places like Chattanooga, Detroit, Cleveland, and New Orleans, Jo...

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson returns to the Empower Podcast as he launches his campaign for Lt. Governor. In this conversation, Grant sits down with Watson for a more personal look at the experiences and convictions that have shaped his leadership. From growing up on the Gulf Coast in a blue-collar, faith-centered family to his work in the State Senate and as Secretary of State, W...

Lawmakers returned to Jackson expecting veto overrides, but what followed was one of the more unusual endings to a legislative session in recent memory. We unpack the final day's twists, the political fallout, and close the book on the 2026 session.

In a time of growing global instability, the role of American strength is back at the center of the conversation. In this episode, Grant sits down with Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Mississippi's senior senator. From rebuilding America's military strength to confronting the "axis of aggression," Senator Wicker offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions sha...

The 2026 legislative session is over… or is it? We break down the budget, education legislation, and a host of other bills that made it across the finish line during a busy week at the Capitol. 

Public safety is foundational to strong communities, but too often, the policies we rely on to reduce crime are driven more by intuition than evidence. As Mississippi and states across the country look for ways to build safer neighborhoods, it's worth asking a simple question: what actually works?   In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Dr. Jennifer Doleac, Execu...

In this Conference Weekend Edition of Capitol Chat, we break down key dates and legislative processes for the remaining 9 days of the 2026 Session. We also dive into the latest on teacher pay raises, PBM reform, a controversial veto, and banning lab-grown milk.

With only a few weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers are narrowing their focus. This week, we take a look at three issues dominating discussions at the Capitol and what's on the horizon as the 2026 session winds down.  

In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with State Representative Sam Creekmore, chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about the major healthcare issues facing Mississippi. From certificate of need reform and rural hospital access to mental health, ibogaine research, and scope of practice, Creekmore explains ho...

At the Mississippi Capitol, nothing is truly dead until it's dead, dead, dead. This week's episode features the resurrection of teacher pay raises, movement on pharmacy benefit manager reform, and the latest on a controversial NIL tax proposal.

In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Dr. Clay Routledge, Executive Vice President of the Archbridge Institute and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab, to explore what really makes life meaningful and why that matters for public policy in Mississippi and beyond.   They discuss how work contributes to dignity and purpose, the psychological components of meaning,...

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.

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.

What does it look like to defend the Constitution with your life, and then keep defending it with your career?   In this episode, Grant sits down with Aaron Rice, a Mississippi Marine and Purple Heart recipient who was wounded in Iraq and later became a constitutional lawyer. Aaron is the Founder & CEO of American Dream Legal, a Mississippi-based public interest law firm that represents individual...

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.

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 horizon.

As the 2026 legislative session moves forward, the conversation around school choice continues to intensify. While much of the focus has been on ESAs and public school transfers, one form of public school choice has quietly served thousands of Mississippi families for years: public charter schools. In this episode, Grant sits down with Dr. John Dixon, Executive Director of the Mississippi Charter...

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.

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 2.

In this episode of the Empower Podcast, Grant Callen sits down with Governor Tate Reeves for a wide-ranging conversation about the state's growing momentum and what comes next.   Recorded from the Governor's office overlooking the State Capitol, the discussion explores why Mississippi is climbing national rankings for wage growth, household income growth, and overall economic performance. A centra...

A sweeping education bill, hours of debate, and a narrow House vote put school choice at the center of Week 2 action. In this edition of Capitol Chat, we unpack what happened with House Bill 2, take a quick look at early budget hearings, and highlight a few things to look forward to next week.