Texas Public Policy Foundation

The Sweet Tea Series

Welcome to The Sweet Tea Series! Join Ariana Guajardo and her guests for some pop culture with a splash of policy ✨

Author

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.youtube.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

The State of Texas Politics & Motherhood with RPT Vice Chair D'rinda Randall | The Sweet Tea Series 24.07.2025

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo is joined by D’rinda Randall, Vice Chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas. They explore issues like taxpayer-funded lobbying being taken up during Special Session. The ladies also talk about the importance of civil engagement and how motherhood fits into and encourages a purpose-filled life.  Follow The Sweet Tea Series on Instagram: www.instagram.com/spilling...

How The Justice Collective Makes Criminal Justice Relatable | The Sweet Tea Series 17.07.2025

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, host Ariana Guajardo sits down with Britt Allen and Carly Widner from the Right on Crime team at the Texas Public Policy Foundation to discuss their new initiative, the Justice Collective. Learn how this digital expansion is making criminal justice policy accessible and engaging for everyday people, especially young conservatives, through a vibrant, feminin...

What is a "Conservative" Woman? | Young Women's Leadership Summit Reflection | The Sweet Tea Series 19.06.2025

Is the choice for women just farm or corner office? Join Ariana Guajardo on The Sweet Tea Series as she dives into the 10th annual Young Women's Leadership Summit hosted by Turning Point USA in Grapevine, Texas. Ariana reflects on the evolving role of women in the conservative movement, exploring cultural shifts, motherhood, and the balance between career and family. She breaks down speeches from...

Is Our Culture Healing? Exploring Family, Truth-Seeking, and Cultural Shifts 12.06.2025

Grab a glass of sweet tea with Ariana Guajardo and guest, Dr. Marianna Orlandi, from the Austin Institute for Family and Culture! They chat on strengthening family bonds, navigating modern society, and question if America is getting more conservative. Tune in for sparkling insights on building community and cherishing Western heritage. ✨

Texas Legislative Drama, Diddy Trial, & Cannes New Fashion Rules | The Sweet Tea Series 22.05.2025

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo and Senior Editor of The Texan, McKenzie DiLullo, dive into all the Texas legislative session drama. From the "Maundy Thursday Massacre" to bail reform and school choice, they unpack the political tea heating up Austin. The ladies also discuss the Diddy Trial shaking Hollywood, new dress code rules at the Cannes Film Festival, and national security. Don’t miss the...

AI, Tech, and an American Pope: Navigating the future of Technology | The Sweet Tea Series 15.05.2025

Join host Ariana Guajardo and tech policy analyst Grayson Gee for a lively sip of sweet tea as they spill on Texas tech policy, from right-to-repair laws to the App Store Accountability Act sparking online drama. They dive into AI’s role in daily life, crunchy midyear resolutions, and the unexpected rise of American Pope Leo XIV, who’s tackling AI’s ethical challenges. Follow Sweet Tea!  https://l...

School Choice, Pop Culture, & the Pope 06.05.2025

Join Ariana Guajardo and guest Mandy Drogin, Campaign Director of Next Generation Texas, as they dive into the historic Texas School Choice law, its impact on parents and kids, and what’s next for education freedom. Plus, catch up on pop culture with movie re-releases like Pride and Prejudice and Star Wars Episode 3, a preview of Angel Studios’ King of Kings, and reactions to The Guardian’s contro...

Texas Parents Fight Back: Legislator Reveals Shocking School Secrets 08.04.2025

In this eye-opening episode of the Sweet Tea Series, host Ariana Guajardo sits down with Texas State Representative Hillary Hickland to spill the tea on the wild stories coming out of public schools. From hidden gender transitions to explicit materials in libraries, Representative Hickland shares her journey from concerned mom to legislator, fighting for transparency and family values. Learn about...

Why Women Love MAHA: Spilling the Sweet Tea on "Make America Healthy Again" | The Sweet Tea Series 01.04.2025

Join Ariana Guajardo on The Sweet Tea Series as we dive into the hottest topic buzzing online: the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement!  In this episode, we’re spilling the sweet tea with two incredible women—Jess Brasington, founder of Mama Bears Rising, and Brigid Rasmussen, former Team Kennedy Chief of Staff and COO of MAHA Action. From transparency in food labels to banning artificial d...

Whistleblower Exposes TX Hospital’s Secret Gender Procedures on Kids | Vanessa Sivadge Interview 25.03.2025

Vanessa Sivadge was fired from Texas Children’s Hospital after she blew the whistle on their secret gender procedures for minors—violating both her Christian beliefs and Texas law. Now, she’s fighting back with Protecting Texas Children, an organization dedicated to safeguarding kids from harmful medical interventions. In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series Ariana Guajardo sits down with Vanessa...

Criminal Justice, Legally Blonde, and Mens Rea Reform 11.03.2025

Right On Crime's Rachel Wright breaks down criminal justice and talks motherhood, work-life balance, Legally Blonde, and mens rea reform. 

Restoring Faith in America 03.03.2025

How do we bring faith, history, and tradition back to the heart of our communities? In this episode, host Ariana sits down with Andrea Justus, a school board member in Wimberley, Texas, and the community coordinator for Restoring Faith in America. Andrea shares how this movement is working to restore faith in communities across the country, bring history and tradition back to the public square, an...

It Starts With Us: Gen Z Rep. Caroline Fairly 19.02.2025

Representative Caroline Fairly, the youngest Republican woman and first gen z representative in the Texas House, joins Ariana to chat about what it's like to be the youngest representative, cell phones in schools, water policy, and the It Ends With Us controversy. Explore the podcast

2024 RECAP: The Good, The Brat, and The Wicked 10.01.2025

2024 was a LONG YEAR, and we go over EVERYTHING - trends, movies, drama, politics, and more!

Energy Poverty, Women, and a Nuclear Future 12.12.2024

All we want for Christmas is reliable energy 🎄 Ari chats with Jason Isaac, former state representative and founder of the American Energy Institute, to discuss a pressing global issues we often overlook—energy poverty. Jason shares his expertise on how the lack of access to reliable, affordable energy is crippling communities in developing countries, with a special focus on the disproportionate i...

Trump, Zach Bryan, and Women in Media 26.11.2024

The tea has been PIPING HOT. Ariana is joined by McKenzie DiLullo, senior editor of The Texan. They talk about the Zach Bryan drama, how Trump will influence Texas, and McKenzie's career journey.

Stacked Deck? DEI in Colleges and Men in Women's Sports 31.10.2024

DEI is burning through our colleges - sometimes, literally. Today, Ariana chats with Kate Bierly, a college volleyball player and alumnus of the "wokest" university in America, about men in women's sports, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and courses, the idea of "intersectionality," and more!

Ep. 038 | Texas' New Curriculum, Mums, & More 17.10.2024

Is the Bible back in schools? To answer that question, Ari is joined by experienced Texas teacher, Courtney Bagley, to talk homecoming, Texas' new curriculum, and what "cultural context" means for Texas school kids. Hint--it means they'll be able to understand common sayings, phrases, and the American ideals. 

Ep. 037 | Landed in Hot Water: TiKTok Drama & Water Policy 24.09.2024

Aliyah Formont joins Ariana Guajardo to chat TikTok cruise drama and drop new information on Texas' emerging water crisis - things are about to get real dry, real quick if we don't act!

Ep. 036 | What do Women Want? Voting Trends, Modern Feminism, & Success 05.09.2024

Join Ari as she chats with Sherry Sylvester, an award-winning journalist and political insider on all things Texas, as they break down women's voting trends in 2024, feminism and femininity in the modern world, and what the future looks like for women in politics. 

Ep. 035 | IS HOMESCHOOLING brat? 20.08.2024

Tired of trying? Be brat . Join Ari and America to dissect "brat summer," whether it's healthy for our self-image, and what might be the antidote to the self-aggrandizing brat culture: homeschooling. America also talks about what it was like to be one of six homeschooled kids, classical education, and her mother's unconventionally strong example. 

Competition & Controversy: Ballerina Farm, Olympics, and Title IX 06.08.2024

The Ballerina Farm drama has the internet going CRAZY, and the olympics aren't any different. Ariana sits down with Grace and Ella Grace to spill the sweet tea and discuss what it all means - especially in light of Title IX reform. Instagram: @spillingsweettea

Kris Tyson Scandal and Olympics Gone Woke 30.07.2024

Ariana Guajardo is joined by  Kristen Eichamer from the Problematic Women Podcast. They discuss discuss the threat to kids' online safety - especially in light of Kris Tyson's behavior. They also talk about how Americans can support their Olympic athletes without accepting the attack on Christianity.

What's It Really Like to Work in National Politics? 17.05.2024

This week, Taylor traveled to Washington, D.C. to sit down with Kelsey Good, Digital Director at The Strategy Group Company, and talk about life in our nation's capital, her experiences working on political campaigns, how politicians use social media and storytelling to engage with people, and how being a mom has impacted her view of politics.

Why Moms Fight for School Choice & Happy Mother's Day! 10.05.2024

Happy Mother's Day! Powerhouse Mom and TPPF's Next Generation Texas Campaign Director, Mandy Drogin, is back! She sat down with Ariana to share stories of moms in Texas who are fighting for school choice, the parenting challenges facing moms today, and how her mom has inspired her.

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