Texas Tribune Conversations

By The Texas Tribune

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What's Texas Tribune Conversations about?

Top conversations from The Texas Tribune's annual festival on all things politics and policy, along with additional interviews from past Texas Tribune events. Episodes feature conversations with CEO Evan Smith and newsmakers.

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Texas Tribune Conversations episodes:

02.14.2019
Take The W
25 years ago George W. Bush did what was unlikely, if not impossible — he snatched control of Texas’ governorship from a popular Democratic incumbent. And the rest, literally, is history. Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune,...
02.12.2019
Faith in the System
These are challenging times for politically engaged members of the clergy. Ana Marie Cox, host of the "With Friends Like These" podcast, leads a discussion with three civically engaged spiritual leaders in Texas: • Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Bishop of Texas...
12.27.2018
Is Social Media Good for Democracy?
With popular apps and platforms under fire for their role in the hot mess presidential election cycle of 2016, we ask the hot question on everyone’s lips: “Is social media good for democracy?” Gene Park of the Washington Post moderates...
12.14.2018
The 86th Legislative Agenda
In this symposium on rural policy and affairs in Texas, five lawmakers discuss whether and how rural interests will play in the next legislative session. Evan Smith, co-founder and CEO of The Texas Tribune, moderates the discussion with state representatives...
11.29.2018
A Test for the New Texas
The state’s commissioners of public and higher education and a former U.S. education secretary on the innovations necessary to serve the next generation of students. Evan Smith moderates a discussion with John King, former U.S. Secretary of Education; Mike Morath,...
11.15.2018
Gender, Power and Leadership
Even though more than half the population of Texas is female, women haven’t come close to achieving parity in the upper ranks of politics, the law, advocacy and academia — yet. Texas Tribune reporter Alexza Ura moderates a discussion with...
11.05.2018
The Consequences of Gun Violence
They’re survivors of four infamous mass-casualty shootings — and they’re victims. Here are their stories. Pamela Colloff, senior writer at ProPublica, moderates a discussion with Chris Grady, survivor of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting; Nicole Hockley, founder of...
10.30.2018
1968 – The most monumental political year of the modern era
The most monumental political year of the modern era feels closer than half a century ago. Hendrik Hertzberg moderates a discussion with Chris Matthews, Lawrence O’Donnell, Dan Rather, and Luci Baines Johnson. This event was recorded before a live audience...
10.17.2018
Making Mr. Right: Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan and the fate of conservatism
The long walk from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump — a timely and important discussion about party, partisanship and ideology. Recording live during the 2018 Texas Tribune Festival at the Paramount Theater in Austin. Susan Glasser (The New Yorker) moderates...
10.10.2018
One on One with Beto O'Rourke
The three-term El Paso congressman speaks to Evan Smith about his headline-making race against Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate.
09.28.2017
One on One with Al Franken
U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, is interviewed by The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 22, 2017.
09.28.2017
A Conversation with John Cornyn and Ted Cruz
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, interviews U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2017.
09.28.2017
The New Abnormal
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, moderated the “New Abnormal” roundtable discussion featuring Chris Cillizza, Ben Domenech, Virginia Heffernan, Indira Lakshmanan and Charles P. Pierce at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2017.
09.28.2017
Trump, Ethics and the Law
Dave Levinthal, senior political reporter at the Center for Public Integrity, moderated the “Trump, Ethics and the Law” panel featuring Matthew Miller, Richard Painter, Walter Shaub and Ken Starr at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Trump and Congress
Abby Livingston, Washington bureau chief for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Trump and Congress” panel featuring U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess and Henry Cuellar at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Trump and Mexico
Jay Root, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Trump and Mexico” panel featuring Henry Cuellar, Veronica Escobar, Antonio Garza, Sid Miller and Francisco Cabeza de Vaca at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Trump And National Security
Robert Chesney, professor of law at the University of Texas Law School, moderated the “Trump and National Security” panel featuring Joaquin Castro, Kathleen Hicks, Will Hurd and Malcolm Nance at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Trump And The Resistance
Jamelle Bouie, chief political correspondent for Slate, moderated the “Trump and the Resistance” panel featuring Crisanta Duran, Ezra Levin, DeRay Mckesson and Cecile Richards at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
One on One with Joe Straus
Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is interviewed by The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
The Grassroots Agenda
Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, moderated the “Grassroots Agenda” panel featuring Kyle Biedermann, Matt Krause, Jeff Leach, Chip Roy and Peggy Venable at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
One on One with Beto O'Rourke
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, is interviewed by The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
A Different Kind of Service
Chris Tomlinson, business columnist for the Houston Chronicle, moderated the “A Different Kind of Service” panel featuring César Blanco, George P. Bush, MJ Hegar and Van Taylor at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
The Democratic Playbook
Patrick Svitek, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Democratic Playbook” panel featuring Wendy Davis, Gilberto Hinojosa, Jess O’Connell and Chris Turner at the The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Race, Voting and the Courts
Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith hosts a community forum on race and justice, featuring Chris Hayes and DeRay Mckesson, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 22, 2017.
09.28.2017
The Fight Over Sanctuary Cities Isn’t Over
The Fight Over Sanctuary Cities Isn’t Over Julián Aguilar, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Fight Over Sanctuary Cities Isn’t Over” panel featuring Dawn Buckingham, Ana Hernandez, Raul Reyes, Matt Schaefer and Charley Wilkison at The Texas Tribune Festival...
09.28.2017
The Politics of Bathrooms
The Politics of Bathrooms Alexa Ura, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Politics of Bathrooms” panel featuring Nicole Hudgens, Jessica Shortall, Ron Simmons, Jason Villalba and Lou Weaver at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2017
Texas and the Refugee Crisis
Texas and the Refugee Crisis Ayan Mittra, editor of The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Texas and the Refugee Crisis” panel featuring A.J. Louderback, Jo Anne Lyon, Ali Noorani, Mustafa Tameez and Jessica Vaughan at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept....
09.28.2017
Justice for All
Justice for All Saturday | 8:30 AM Texas Union, Quadrangle Room Indigent defense, bail reform and other ways to ensure fair treatment for the poor Deborah Fowler@Debfowler70 Executive Director of Texas Appleseed Nathan Hecht@NathanLHecht Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Andrew Murr State Representative Valencia Nash Dallas County Justice of...
09.28.2017
Criminal Justice Reform We Can All Agree On
Criminal Justice Reform We Can All Agree On Jolie McCullough, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Criminal Justice Reform We Can All Agree On” panel featuring Mark Gonzalez, Marc Levin, Joe Moody, Kim Ogg and Vikrant Reddy at The...
09.27.2017
The Limits of Annexation
Robert Rivard, director of The Rivard Report, moderated the “Limits of Annexation” panel featuring Donna Campbell, José Menéndez, Justin Rodriguez and Paul Workman at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
Big-City Economics
Brandon Formby, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Big City Economics” panel featuring Giovanni Capriglione, Dee Margo, Betsy Price and Rey Saldaña at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
One on One with U. Reneé Hall
Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall is interviewed by Krys Boyd, host and managing editor of KERA’s “Think,” at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
Local Control vs. Local Liberty
David Brown, host of the Texas Standard, moderated the “Local Control vs. Local Liberty” panel featuring Sarah Eckhardt, Gina Hinojosa, Don Huffines, Clay Jenkins and Chris Paddie at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
One On One with Joe Straus
Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is interviewed by The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
One on One with Mike Rawlings
Mike Rawlings, mayor of Dallas, is interviewed by The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
How Cities are Tackling Climate Change
Kiah Collier, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “How Cities are Tackling Climate Change” panel featuring Steve Adler, Pete Buttigieg, Ron Nirenberg and Annise Parker at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
Higher Education Funding and Spending
Matthew Watkins, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Higher Ed Funding and Spending” panel featuring Dan Branch, Garrett Groves, Brenda Hellyer, Kel Seliger and Paula Short at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
Testing, Accountability and College Readiness
Eva-Marie Ayala, reporter for The Dallas Morning News, moderated the “Testing, Accountability and College Readiness” panel featuring Art Cavazos, HD Chambers, Paul Cruz, Steve Flores and Susan Simpson Hull at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
The Right Response on Sexual Assault
Morgan Smith, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Right Response on Sexual Assault” panel featuring Paula Lavigne, J.M. Lozano, Wanda Mercer, Sierra Smith and Kirk Watson at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
Why School Finance is So Hard
Aliyya Swaby, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Why School Finance is So Hard” panel featuring Diego Bernal, Mary González, Donna Howard and Dan Huberty at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
What HBCUs Mean for Texas
Corrie MacLaggan, managing editor at The Texas Tribune, moderated the “What HBCUs Mean for Texas” panel featuring Colette Pierce Burnette, Austin Lane, Michael Sorrell and James White at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.27.2017
One on One with Mike Morath
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, interviewed Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.
09.28.2016
Local Control
Jim Malewitz, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Local Control — or Control the Locals?” panel featuring Don Huffines, Philip Kingston, Ron Nirenberg, Matt Rinaldi and Beth Van Duyne at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
One On One With Tim Dunn
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, interviewed Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating and chairman of Empower Texans, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
The House Agenda
Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, moderated the “House Agenda” panel featuring Carol Alvarado, Linda Koop, Drew Springer, Jonathan Stickland, Chris Turner and Gene Wu at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
The Senate Agenda
Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, moderated the “Senate Agenda” panel featuring Dawn Buckingham, Konni Burton, Sylvia Garcia, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, José Rodríguez and Van Taylor at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
The Agency Agenda
Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Agency Agenda” panel featuring James Bass, Mike Morath, Raymund Paredes and Charles Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
One On One With Dan Patrick
Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune, interviewed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
The Trumping Of The Republican Primary
Patrick Svitek, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Trumping of the Republican Primary” panel featuring Sarah Isgur Flores, Jason Johnson, Rob Johnson and John Weaver at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.
09.28.2016
Texas And Zika
Shefali Luthra, web reporter for Kaiser Health News, moderated the “Texas and Zika" panel featuring Ann Barnes, Nicole Collier, John Hellerstedt and Martha Rac at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.

What's Texas Tribune Conversations about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Texas Tribune Conversations episodes:

Take The W

Faith in the System

Is Social Media Good for Democracy?

The 86th Legislative Agenda

A Test for the New Texas

Gender, Power and Leadership

The Consequences of Gun Violence

1968 – The most monumental political year of the modern era

Making Mr. Right: Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan and the fate of conservatism

One on One with Beto O'Rourke

One on One with Al Franken

A Conversation with John Cornyn and Ted Cruz

The New Abnormal

Trump, Ethics and the Law

Trump and Congress

Trump and Mexico

Trump And National Security

Trump And The Resistance

One on One with Joe Straus

The Grassroots Agenda

One on One with Beto O'Rourke

A Different Kind of Service

The Democratic Playbook

Race, Voting and the Courts

The Fight Over Sanctuary Cities Isn’t Over

The Politics of Bathrooms

Texas and the Refugee Crisis

Justice for All

Criminal Justice Reform We Can All Agree On

The Limits of Annexation

Big-City Economics

One on One with U. Reneé Hall

Local Control vs. Local Liberty

One On One with Joe Straus

One on One with Mike Rawlings

How Cities are Tackling Climate Change

Higher Education Funding and Spending

Testing, Accountability and College Readiness

The Right Response on Sexual Assault

Why School Finance is So Hard

What HBCUs Mean for Texas

One on One with Mike Morath

Local Control

One On One With Tim Dunn

The House Agenda

The Senate Agenda

The Agency Agenda

One On One With Dan Patrick

The Trumping Of The Republican Primary

Texas And Zika