The Empower Podcast

By Empower MississippiNews Education Politics

The Empower Podcast episodes

May 13 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.
1 hr 8 min
April 29 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.
59 min
April 17 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.
7 min
April 15 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.
1 hr 6 min
April 03 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.
9 min
April 01 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.
1 hr 3 min
March 27 Capitol Chat: Week 12
In this Conference Weekend Edition of Capitol Chat, we break down key dates and legislative processes for the remaining 9 days of the 2026 Session. We also dive into the latest on teacher pay raises, PBM reform, a controversial veto, and banning lab-grown milk.
6 min
March 20 Capitol Chat: Week 11
With only a few weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers are narrowing their focus. This week, we take a look at three issues dominating discussions at the Capitol and what's on the horizon as the 2026 session winds down.

6 min
March 18 Rep. Sam Creekmore: Chasing Lions in Healthcare
In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with State Representative Sam Creekmore, chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about the major healthcare issues facing Mississippi. From certificate of need reform and rural hospital access to mental health, ibogaine research, and scope of practice, Creekmore explains how he is thinking through the state's most pressing health policy debates. He reflects on how his personal experiences and conversations with families affected by addiction have shaped his legislative priorities. He also discusses the role of innovation in Mississippi policymaking, the challenges of legislating in a complicated healthcare system, and why he believes the state must be willing to tackle hard problems if it wants a healthier future.
59 min
March 13 Capitol Chat: Week 10
At the Mississippi Capitol, nothing is truly dead until it's dead, dead, dead. This week's episode features the resurrection of teacher pay raises, movement on pharmacy benefit manager reform, and the latest on a controversial NIL tax proposal.
5 min

About The Empower Podcast

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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…