A terrific time earlier this week at Antone's in downtown Austin, as a great bunch of like-minded Texas progressive rabble-rousers gathered to celebrate 12 years of Progress Texas! While the good times were rolling, we worked the room and collected quick interviews from a couple-dozen party-goers to survey what they like most about our efforts, and what they consider the most important agenda items as we move forward - we were surprised at the variety of great answers they provided, and those ma...
Jun 18, 2022•42 min
An honor to host two distinguished guests from the LGBTQ+ activist community for a deep dive into Pride Month: its origins, its meaning today, and what the fight ahead may bring. Ricardo Martinez is the Executive Director of Equality Texas, and Gin Pham is the Communications and Outreach Manager for the Transgender Education Network of Texas (also known as TENT). Progress Texas takes great Pride in our partnership with these orgs, who are working on the ground everyday to fight for LGBTQ+ equali...
Jun 17, 2022•44 min
Following Uvalde, it's not a stretch to predict that in the end, Governor Greg Abbott and the rest of Texas' GOP regime will end up doing nothing meaningful to prevent the next mass killing in our state. After all, following El Paso, Santa Fe, Sutherland Springs, Fort Hood, and far too many other preventable tragedies in Texas, Abbott has done worse than nothing: guns have proliferated as they've increased in firepower, and can now be legally found in almost every corner of our lives. We thought...
Jun 10, 2022•35 min
We’re continuing to focus on crucial issues facing progressive Texans this election year. With the likely fall of Roe v Wade, we've designed an effort to fight back and it's called a Roevolution! To help illuminate the struggle for abortion rights, we're proud to welcome a trio of the toughest women in Texas: State Senator Carol Alvarado from Houston, and State Legislators Donna Howard and Vikki Goodwin from Austin. All have been in the trenches opposite Texas Republicans for years, and in this ...
Jun 03, 2022•19 min
It's been a heavy week, and all of us at Progress Texas are as heartbroken and angry as you are. This week we upend the right-wing talking points, we look at how various leaders have responded to the tragedy, and what actions you can take. We also consider what a future looks like without these tragedies, freedom from fear, and how to renew our resolve to fight back. We skipped the beers and brought in a larger team this week - join us for a frank conversation. We mourn with Uvalde today - and w...
May 26, 2022•51 min
It was our honor to help organize and host the recent Bans Off Our Bodies Rally for Austin - one of dozens that happened across the country on Saturday May 14 - at the Texas State Capitol. This week we're reviewing a few of the tremendous lineup of impassioned speakers, ranging from elected officials to motivated advocates, and all co-emceed by our own Diana Gomez! Join us in getting fired up all over again with former State Senator Wendy Davis (05:45), Lilith Fund activist Paige Alexandria (15:...
May 20, 2022•51 min
You're not having deja vu - it IS, indeed, time to VOTE once again. Why do we have so darn many elections this year? That's part of our discussion today, along with an analysis of the offices and issues in question. A quick guide to our major endorsements: Lieutenant Governor (index to 13:32): Mike Collier (whom we talked to recently in our April 9 minisode ) Attorney General (16:38): Rochelle Garza (our guest for our February 10th minisode ) Land Commissioner (20:00): Jay Kleberg (listen to Epi...
May 13, 2022•41 min
We discovered that last week's Supreme Court development, being the cataclysmic event that it is, was too big to contain to one conversation - so we're presenting this second phase of our talk on what seems to be the impending end of Roe v Wade with a discussion of what comes next - specifically, how progressives in Texas and beyond can rally and activate in advance of the November mid-terms. Basic American freedoms hang in the balance in a few short months - will we rise to the challenge? This ...
May 09, 2022•22 min
It's difficult to throw around the word "happy" at this moment, as progressives across the country and people around the world stand aghast at this week's developments from the U.S. Supreme Court. It's a surreal moment, that feels like an escalation in the culture war past a red line - the first time in our nation's history that a settled right has been taken away from the American people. What's the real legal situation, what's next, and what can we do about it? We welcome our good friend Dyana...
May 06, 2022•32 min
Texas transplant Elon Musk has succeeded in drawing the world's attention to himself in buying Twitter. The story's moving quickly, and the implications are building: will he be the next media mogul, or will the era of huge social networks end in favor of micro networks? We also talk about the line between "free speech" and the unfettered flow of falsehood and hate. Finally, will Twitter continue along with business as usual, or will it become an instrument of the right, or will it fade away? Lo...
Apr 30, 2022•24 min
The crew convenes to remind Texans it's VOTING time again! Early voting is happening now for the "uniform" May 7 statewide election, including two constitutional amendments on housing policy - our very own Brett Isaacs returns to offer her hot takes on the confusing ballot language. Turnout will be very light - making YOUR vote count in a significantly outsized way. There are also 47 school districts holding elections - and as you've heard, those elections have come into the crosshairs of Texas ...
Apr 29, 2022•31 min
Friday marks the 52nd annual Earth Day - over half a century in which climatic decline has developed from a vague threat into a gradually, inexorably manifesting reality. We live on the precipice of the point of no return - and Texas being the energy leader it is, our General Land Office is one of few authorities that stands a chance of making a major difference. We welcome Jay Kleberg, who's currently running for Texas Land Commissioner, for a survey of the current state of the Earth, what can ...
Apr 22, 2022•35 min
On this year's 4/20, we take a deep breath and dive into marijuana legalization: a majority of Texas voters want it, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents - so what's the hold-up? We enjoyed a joint discussion with our good friend Jax James, Executive Director of Texas NORML, on the likelihood of Texas ever finally joining the civilized world on cannabis, and ending the widespread injustice that results from prohibition - especially with legal pot now right next door in New Mexico, ...
Apr 20, 2022•50 min
Part Two of this week's amazing road trip to D/FW found us in Cowtown at the historic T&P Tavern, situated in the 1930's-era Texas And Pacific Railway building (which is now condos, but those are real trains going by!). We had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Allison Campolo, chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party and founder of Tarrant Together (not to mention an infectious disease doctor and heavyweight Kung Fu fighter!), and Congressman Marc Veasey, currently representing Texas Hous...
Apr 16, 2022•49 min
It's our pleasure to return to Dallas' Toller Patio, which is a terrific outdoor hang (turns out, even in the middle of a thunderstorm!) for a fun and enlightening conversation with Kristy Noble, the new head of the Dallas County Democratic Party. We learned about the vital role of the county level in progressive politics, how Dallas Dems are fighting back against new voting restrictions, and more - plus Diana tried bourbon for the first time, making this episode a must-listen. Watch for a secon...
Apr 13, 2022•42 min
We're joined by our friend Mike Collier, a familiar face for most Texas Democrats, who is in a runoff election on May 24th for the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in November. We ask Mike: what's the most important function of this office, arguably the most powerful in Texas, and what are the most prominent of the hundreds of things he'd do differently than the current guy? And with all of the miles he's put on his truck - what has he learned about running -...
Apr 09, 2022•17 min
Wow, 50 Happy Hours on the books! Two polls this week show Beto O'Rourke gaining on Greg Abbott in the race for Texas Governor - one of them showing the race down to two points.We also address a new push from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to emulate Florida's ridiculous "Don't Say Gay" bill here in the Lone Star State - not to mention the surreal war that the Texas GOP has declared on Mickey Mouse. Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mike Collier joins us - and he's got some opinions to shar...
Apr 07, 2022•35 min
Cornbread in the shape of Texas: impractical, or worth the hassle? This week we talk about keeping the progressive light burning in Texas, the evolution of our signature program Humans Against Ted Cruz, and ponder the usefulness of Texas-shaped things. Also in this heartfelt minisode we bid adieu to our longtime anchor and spirit squad leader Saatvik Ahluwalia, who's off to Massachusetts - a much colder state but with a much more reliable energy grid. And we introduce our new Digital Manager and...
Apr 02, 2022•20 min
Trans Day of Visibility seeks to celebrate the accomplishments and resiliency of the trans community, and this year it comes while Republicans have launched attacks on trans kids. We're proud to welcome two of our favorite advocates and activists for trans rights, as Adri Perez of ACLU of Texas joins us, and LGTBQ+ policy consultant Ash Hall returns to the podcast. We discuss defiance in the face of cheap political attacks, the lies being told, and why in spite of it all, we can remain hopeful f...
Mar 31, 2022•43 min
Our fab panel of Texas women from this week's Happy Hour podcast returns for a sharper focus on abortion rights, which are now under active attack in multiple U.S. states. These are "copycat laws" modeled after Texas' own notorious SB8 and its reliance on vigilante action for enforcement. For this special Women's History Month mini-sode, Progress Texas Development Manager Brett Isaacs hosts, along with Shellie Hayes-McMahon from Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, attorney and voting rights expert E...
Mar 26, 2022•18 min
As we approach the closing days of March and Women's History Month, real history is being made in Washington D.C., and we've convened a special group of our favorite Texas ladies for a deep dive on the ongoing Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Ketanji Brown Jackson - who is proving to be up to the task of facing down the extraordinarily lame Republican attacks and "jackassery" she's had to tolerate. Progress Texas Development Manager Brett Isaacs hosts, along with Shellie Hayes-McMahon from...
Mar 24, 2022•35 min
For many Texans, especially Austinites, the moment when the COVID-19 pandemic got really, really real came on March 6, 2020: the day that SXSW was officially cancelled. At the time it seemed unthinkable, as did much of what was still to come over the next two harrowing and surreal years. But now, SXSW returns to Austin in fully live form, and it's not a stretch to consider this moment one of victory, renewal and promise for ALL of us. We discuss what SXSW means to Austin, Texas and the world as ...
Mar 11, 2022•39 min
Senior strategist Glenn W. Smith and Content Production Specialist Chris Mosser had the pleasure of talking with renowned Texas energy attorney and former Democratic nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner Chrysta Castaneda on the big topic at hand: the new American sanctions on Russian oil, the possible strategic maneuvers and consequences ahead - and specifically, what all of this means for Texans, and why it's important for progressives to stand strong and speak the truth in what could be a t...
Mar 10, 2022•26 min
It's our first anniversary! And what a year it's been. Way WAY too many Lege sessions, the Democratic quorum break, unprecedented and unlimited ugly from the Texas GOP. And, a LOT of Truly down the hatch. Reviewing our first year, it's pretty amazing what we've endured - and it's also starkly clear that we've still got a long way to go - so, THANK YOU for being part of the family. Meanwhile - we have a primary election to unpack. What were we surprised about, what are we excited about, and what ...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min
This evening (Wednesday March 2) at 6pm, the annual Amplify Austin Day begins - a full 24 hour celebration of giving and support of worthy Austin-based charities and non-profits, and Progress Texas is once again a proud participant! Seems like a great time to pause, reflect on the first year of our podcast, thank YOU for making that first year such a huge success, and explain how supporting Progress Texas is such an easy and important way to help Texas move forward into a better, brighter future...
Mar 02, 2022•19 min
Even with weeks of buildup, the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin's Russia has still been a complete shock to most Texans. What will be the immediate and long-term impacts in Texas, what can we do to help, and what's coming next? Dr. Jody Ferguson is an Austin-based author and expert on Russian political thought and strategy, and we're honored to have spent some time listening to his insight - his hosts for this special bonus podcast are Progress Texas Development Manager Brett Isaacs and Co...
Feb 25, 2022•19 min
Yesterday, the whole country was shocked (once again!) at another callous, disgusting election-year maneuver by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who have once again singled out transgender Texas kids as a prop in their never-ending cosplay of cruelty for the most vile dregs of the Republican voting base. This time though, yet another creative legal innovation: they're going after the families of these vulnerable young Texans, attempting to criminalize them with accusations o...
Feb 24, 2022•41 min
Marijuana attorney Susan Hays joins us from her hops and hemp farm near Alpine! Susan brings together an extensive background in progressive advocacy, and an impeccable pedigree in land management and environmental stewardship - plus expertise on what a Texas-based marijuana industry could mean for our state. She's challenging longtime Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who is a walking anachronism - as is much of his party. The agriculture sector in the Lone Star State needs leadership ...
Feb 18, 2022•18 min
We welcome special guest Jessica Montoya Coggins of Texas Signal for a discussion of the ongoing primary election: while urban turnout is looking decent, our state's history of low turnout in elections like these appears to be holding. New restrictions on voting access are causing an unprecedented number of registration rejections - but our hope is that an over-arching sense of voter suppression may actually help turnout, as voters defy efforts by the GOP to silence progressive voices in Texas. ...
Feb 18, 2022•29 min
As we record, early voting in the 2022 primary election begins in just a few days, on Valentine's Day, Monday February 14. This may come as a surprise to even engaged progressives - who, along with the rest of us, may simply be a little burned out. But the struggle continues, and this week we're here to help get you caught up and ready to go. At the top of the ballot, Beto O'Rourke has dominated the Dem side and is already the presumptive nominee in the race for Governor. On the other side, Gove...
Feb 11, 2022•51 min
