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 House District 33 - two people who know the ins and outs of the Democratic fight in Fort Worth and Tarrant County better than anyone. Join us for a deep dive into a part of Texas regarded by many as a bellwether for the political future of the Lone Star State.

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 second episode this week from our Pints For Progress road trip to the D/FW Metroplex, recorded live at the T&P Tavern in Fort Worth!

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 - and himself - on the campaign trail?

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 share.

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 Happy Hour Host Sam Gonzalez - a veteran Texas podcaster and dedicated progressive rabble-rouser.

Vote for our own Diana Gomez in TWO categories in the Austin Chronicle's Best Of Austin poll:

And, get your sweet Humans Against Ted Cruz gear here: https://store.progresstexas.org/

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 for the future.

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 Emily Eby, and Carrie Collier-Brown of the Texas Blue Action Democrats.

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 Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, attorney and voting rights expert Emily Eby, and Carrie Collier-Brown of the Texas Blue Action Democrats.

Programming note: This Saturday, watch for a special mini-sode as this same great panel of women takes stock of what's happening in the ongoing abortion rights fight.

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 one of the great intersections of art, communication, technology, innovation - and of course, BBQ, tacos and beer. We're back baby! Thanks so much for your support.

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 trying and pivotal moment for all of us. PLEASE SHARE this insightful and important conversation with your friends, and thanks as always for your support.

Glenn's terrific piece on this topic: https://progresstexas.org/blog/facts-about-biden-oil-and-ukraine-contradict-republican-lies