The Empower Podcast

By Empower Mississippi

Empower Mississippi is committed to helping all Mississippians rise by removing barriers to opportunity. In this podcast, we talk with state and national experts about ways the Magnolia State can grow... more

5

1212 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Empower Podcast:

How many episodes does The Empower Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.

The Empower Podcast episodes:

July 22, 2026 Sen. Jeremy England: Neighbors Before Opponents
Politics works best when we remember we're neighbors before we're opponents. But in an age of polarization, is that still possible? In this episode, Grant sits down with State Senator Jeremy England to discuss the experiences and convictions that have shaped his approach to public service. From growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and becoming the first in his family to attend college to serving in the Mississippi Senate, Jeremy explains why relationships, humility, and trust are essential to good government. The conversation explores America's founding principles in the wake of the nation's 250th anniversary, Mississippi's recent momentum in education and workforce development, and the challenges of labor force participation, benefits cliffs, and strengthening families. Whether discussing policy or politics, Jeremy returns to a simple but often overlooked idea: lasting progress begins when we see one another not as enemies, but as neighbors working toward a common good.
...more
1h 10min
July 01, 2026 Andy Taggart: The Ideas That Made America
In this episode, Grant sits down with attorney, writer, and student of history Andy Taggart to explore the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and why they remain relevant nearly two and a half centuries later. They discuss the revolutionary claim that all people are created equal, the belief that rights come from God rather than government, and how those principles launched the American experiment. The conversation explores the contradictions of the founding era, the nation's long struggle to live up to its ideals, the meaning of American exceptionalism, and the responsibilities that come with liberty and self-government. Along the way, they discuss Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil War, free speech, political polarization, and what it will take to preserve America's founding principles for future generations. As the nation prepares to celebrate America 250, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at where we have been, where we are today, and what kind of country we hope to leave behind.
...more
59min
June 17, 2026 Dr. Branden Henry: How People Change
For years, Empower Mississippi has focused on removing external barriers to opportunity. But what if some of the barriers holding people back aren't external at all? In this episode, Grant sits down with licensed professional counselor Dr. Brandon Henry to explore the internal obstacles that often prevent people from flourishing: trauma, shame, addiction, fear, loneliness, and destructive patterns that can keep people stuck even when opportunity is available. Drawing on his work as a counselor and founder of Red River Counseling, Brandon explains how adverse childhood experiences shape adult behavior, why relationships are essential for healing, what many people misunderstand about trauma, and how real personal change happens. The conversation also explores the growing crisis facing men, the importance of vulnerability and community, and why both personal responsibility and healthy systems matter if we want individuals and communities to thrive. Whether you're interested in psychology, faith, public policy, family, or personal growth, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it takes for people to heal, grow, and move forward. Show Notes: Red River Counseling Rocks to Rivers
...more
1h 4min
May 27, 2026 Rep. Otis Anthony: Can the Delta Rise Again?
On this episode of the Empower Podcast, State Rep. Otis Anthony joins Grant for a wide-ranging conversation about poverty, work, education, economic development, and the future of the Mississippi Delta. Anthony shares how growing up in Indianola shaped his view of public service, why he believes the Delta's greatest asset is its people, and what it will take to create more opportunity in one of Mississippi's most challenged regions. The conversation explores workforce participation, the decline of manufacturing, fatherlessness, school choice, and whether Mississippi's economic investments are reaching every corner of the state. Grant and Rep. Anthony also discuss political polarization, redistricting, and why friendships across party lines are more important than ever. Even where they disagree, both share a commitment to helping more Mississippians rise.
...more
1h 5min
May 13, 2026 Josh McManus: Jackson's Comeback Story
What does it take for a struggling city to turn the corner? In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant Callen sits down with urban strategist and entrepreneur Josh McManus to discuss the rise, decline, and revitalization of American cities, and why he believes Jackson still has enormous potential. Drawing on decades of work in places like Chattanooga, Detroit, Cleveland, and New Orleans, Josh explains the long-term forces that have reshaped cities across America and why Jackson's challenges are not unique. He argues that the key to renewal is restoring "the right to rise" — helping people believe they can build a better life where they are. Cities thrive when people embrace a culture of abundance rather than scarcity, rejecting the idea that one group's success must come at another's expense. They also discuss the redevelopment of the former Chastain Middle School campus on Northside Drive and how projects like The Redeemer's School can help anchor neighborhood renewal. If you care about the future of Jackson, Mississippi, and the future of American cities, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
...more
1h 8min
April 29, 2026 Michael Watson: Faith, Family, and Public Service
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson returns to the Empower Podcast as he launches his campaign for Lt. Governor.

In this conversation, Grant sits down with Watson for a more personal look at the experiences and convictions that have shaped his leadership. From growing up on the Gulf Coast in a blue-collar, faith-centered family to his work in the State Senate and as Secretary of State, Watson reflects on how those influences guide his approach to public service.

They discuss faith, family, education, and the future of Mississippi, along with Watson's vision for leadership rooted in consistency, conviction, and a commitment to serving others.
...more
59min
April 17, 2026 Capitol Chat: Sine Die
Lawmakers returned to Jackson expecting veto overrides, but what followed was one of the more unusual endings to a legislative session in recent memory. We unpack the final day's twists, the political fallout, and close the book on the 2026 session.
...more
7min
April 15, 2026 U.S. Senator Roger Wicker: Strength Abroad, Opportunity at Home
In a time of growing global instability, the role of American strength is back at the center of the conversation. In this episode, Grant sits down with Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Mississippi's senior senator. From rebuilding America's military strength to confronting the "axis of aggression," Senator Wicker offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions shaping global security. They discuss modernizing the military, why deterrence still matters, and how the U.S. should respond to threats from China, Russia, and Iran. Wicker also makes the case for standing firmly with Ukraine in its fight against Vladimir Putin. The conversation also turns to Mississippi's recent momentum, from the decision to change the state flag to the growing push for school choice and broader efforts to create opportunity across the state.
...more
1h 6min
April 03, 2026 Capitol Chat: Week 13
The 2026 legislative session is over… or is it? We break down the budget, education legislation, and a host of other bills that made it across the finish line during a busy week at the Capitol.
...more
9min
April 01, 2026 Dr. Jennifer Doleac: What Actually Deters Crime?
Public safety is foundational to strong communities, but too often, the policies we rely on to reduce crime are driven more by intuition than evidence. As Mississippi and states across the country look for ways to build safer neighborhoods, it's worth asking a simple question: what actually works? In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Dr. Jennifer Doleac, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures and author of The Science of Second Chances. Dr. Doleac shares how she became an economist focused on criminal justice policy and walks through what decades of research reveal about deterrence, recidivism, and the effectiveness of our current system. The conversation explores why increasing the certainty of consequences matters more than increasing their severity, how simple interventions like text message reminders can reduce failures to appear in court, and why leniency for first-time offenders can actually lead to better long-term outcomes. They also discuss the role of prisons, what rehabilitation should look like, and how policymakers can move beyond ideology to implement solutions that truly reduce crime. This is a data-driven conversation about how to create safer communities, by focusing not on what sounds tough, but on what actually works.
...more
1h 3min

FAQs about The Empower Podcast:

How many episodes does The Empower Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.

More shows like The Empower Podcast

The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

228,383 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,666 Listeners

The Ben Shapiro Show by The Daily Wire

The Ben Shapiro Show

153,248 Listeners

MPW Digital by Blue Wire

MPW Digital

1,106 Listeners

WSJ What’s News by The Wall Street Journal

WSJ What’s News

4,345 Listeners

The Editors by National Review

The Editors

4,892 Listeners

The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

9,532 Listeners

Thunder & Lightning by SuperTalk Mississippi Media

Thunder & Lightning

1,202 Listeners

The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

The Journal.

6,089 Listeners

The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast by Mississippi Today

The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

119 Listeners

Out of Left Field by Southeastern Sports Group, LLC

Out of Left Field

329 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

10,182 Listeners

The Megyn Kelly Show by SiriusXM

The Megyn Kelly Show

39,483 Listeners

The Daily Punch by Punchbowl News

The Daily Punch

720 Listeners

Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

Morning Wire

26,615 Listeners