This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit jimhightower.substack.com

Recently, our friends over at The Marc Steiner Show on The Real News Network stopped by Hightower’s house in Austin for a long chat about Texas politics and the history of progressive populism. Enjoy! And if you like what you hear, make sure you visit The Real News and consider making a donation to them.

People write off states like Texas as dyed-in-the-wool Republican strongholds, but it wasn’t always that way. Legendary author, organizer, commentator, and former State Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower is living proof that there is a strong progressive tradition in Texas that stretches back to the 19th century. Hightower has fought the far right for decades, but he has also seen how Democrats have abandoned grassroots organizing and how the Democratic Party has been hijacked by corporate money and self-serving elites. In this special episode of The Marc Steiner Show, recorded at Hightower’s home in Austin, Texas, we talk to Hightower about House Bill 2127 (aka “The Death Star Bill”), how corporate power and far-right nuts took over Texas politics, and how to rebuild the progressive movement in the Lone Star State.

Pre-Production: Kayla Rivara, Maximillian Alvarez, Marc Steiner, David Griscom, Alexander KofflerStudio Production: Alexander KofflerPost-Production: David Hebden