Capitol Chat is back for the 2026 legislative session, and week one is already moving fast. Host Wil Ervin highlights early Senate action on teacher pay and public school choice, a sweeping House education bill, and a major Senate proposal to shore up PERS, setting the tone for a busy session ahead.

On this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Commissioner Andy Gipson—Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, former state legislator, Baptist minister, cattleman, and announced candidate for governor. Gipson shares how his journey into public service began with a desire to secure a better future for his children, and why he believes strong families are the foundation of a healthy culture, safe communities, and a thriving economy. They revisit his decade in the House, including his role in landmark pro-life and Second Amendment legislation, then dive into his work leading the agency responsible for the state's largest industry: agriculture. Grant and Commissioner Gipson also explore his pro-family policy agenda: accelerating income tax relief for married couples, tackling property taxes, cutting sales tax on essentials for kids, expanding childcare and work opportunities, and supporting school choice so parents have more tools to help their children thrive. They close with a discussion on public safety, prison re-entry, and how smarter corrections policy can strengthen families and the workforce. Recorded as our final episode of the year, this conversation looks ahead to the 2026 legislative session and what it will take to keep Mississippi's momentum going.

On this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with Mississippi State Senator Rod Hickman, a lawyer, educator, and public servant representing a stretch of communities across East Mississippi from Macon to Louisville to Meridian. Sen. Hickman shares how growing up in Noxubee County shaped his passion for public service, why he left a law career in Jackson to return home, and the opportunities he sees for rural communities like his. In this conversation, we unpack the intersection of justice reform, education policy, and economic mobility—and how each plays a role in helping more Mississippians rise. We dive into crime, clearance rates, the realities of prosecution, the public defender system, and Mississippi's Fresh Start Act, breaking down what these issues mean for families. Senator Hickman also walks through several of the bills he authored this past session, including efforts tied to dyslexia research among inmates, and criminal justice reform. Tune in for an engaging conversation.

On this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen talks with Dr. Brad Wilcox, Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and author of Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization. Dr. Wilcox shares striking research on how marriage shapes economic mobility, child wellbeing, and community stability—and why family decline fuels many of America's biggest challenges. With marriage rates down more than 50% in the past half-century, he highlights powerful data: kids from intact families are four times more likely to graduate college than end up in prison, and neighborhoods with more two-parent households drive upward mobility for poor children. Drawing on years of research, Dr. Wilcox explains how family structure underpins education, work, and public safety, core issues in Empower's mission to expand opportunity in Mississippi. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on reclaiming family as the foundation for opportunity.

What does it take to turn around a city? In this special episode recorded at Jackson City Hall, host Grant Callen talks with Mayor John Horn about his love for Jackson, the lessons from his childhood and career in public service, and his mission to restore trust, safety, and opportunity in Mississippi's capital. From fixing potholes to fighting crime and strengthening schools, Mayor Horhn shares his bold and hopeful vision for Jackson's future. He also discusses the importance of community engagement, partnerships with local, state, and federal leaders, and leveraging Jackson's unique cultural and economic assets to attract families and businesses back to the city. Whether you're a Jackson resident or simply care about the future of Mississippi, this conversation offers insights, inspiration, and a roadmap for meaningful change.

On this episode of the Empower Podcast, Grant Callen sits down with Dr. Steven Skultety, Director of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi. They explore the foundations of American democracy, the origins of rights, and why civil disagreement is essential to a thriving society. From natural rights vs. legal rights to the First Amendment's protections, Dr. Skultety shares insights on political violence, the uniqueness of the U.S. Constitution, and how freedom underpins everything we value. A timely conversation for anyone who cares about liberty, governance, and the future of America.

On this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with historian Jere Nash, a Greenville native, retired political consultant, and co-author of award-winning books. Jere's latest work, Reconstruction in Mississippi, 1862-1877, offers a definitive look at a pivotal era. We discuss why Jere chose to explore Reconstruction, debunk common myths, and examine the era's lasting impact on Mississippi's racial and economic landscape. From the Emancipation Proclamation's effects to the rise of the Black Codes, the Freedmen's Bureau, and the 1868 Constitution, Jere unpacks the challenges faced by Black and white Mississippians post-Civil War. Learn how Mississippi's geography, demography, and economy shaped Reconstruction, why "40 acres and a mule" never materialized, and what lessons from this era apply to today's racial dynamics. Tune in for a compelling conversation on history, policy, and Mississippi's path to a brighter future.

"The Mississippi Legislature Changes the State Flag" by Jere Nash: https://www.mississippihistory.org/sites/default/files/admin/content/files/Nash%2C%20Jere_The%20Mississippi%20Legislature%20Changes%20the%20Flag_SpringSummer%202022.pdf

Reconstruction in Mississippi, 1862 -1877: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/R/Reconstruction-in-Mississippi-1862-1877

More than just a paycheck, work is the foundation of prosperity and the pathway to earned success. This week, host Grant Callen sits down with Rebekah Staples President & Founder of Free State Strategies and a Contributing Fellow at Empower Mississippi. Hailing from The Free State of Jones (County), Rebekah shares her journey from working in Governor Haley Barbour's office during Hurricane Katrina to shaping major economic policies under Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves. They dive into the dignity and joy of work, Mississippi's challenges with labor force participation, recent progress in wages and job growth, and bold reforms like income tax elimination and school choice. Grant and Rebekah discuss why work is central to economic mobility, why so many Mississippians are outside the workforce, and how policies can better connect opportunity with responsibility. They also explore the future of Jackson, Rebekah's leadership on the Capitol Complex Improvement District, and her hopes for Mississippi's trajectory. Whether you're interested in public policy, the dignity of work, or the future of Mississippi, this conversation is for you.

On this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with Mississippi's 40th Attorney General Lynn Fitch. A Holly Springs native, General Fitch has 35 years in public and private legal service, made history as the state's first female Attorney General, and earned national recognition for her leadership. We talk about her roots, her legal career, and her pivotal role in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the landmark Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade. She also shares insights on fighting human trafficking, protecting children online, preserving Title IX, and her support for school choice. Additionally, we preview the upcoming Mississippi Women's Summit and pose the question on many minds: Is a run for governor in her future? Tune In.

With Speaker Jason White and Governor Tate Reeves signaling school choice as the top priority for the 2026 legislative session, momentum is building—but so is the opposition. On this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with the Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party for a deep dive into the heated debate surround school choice. Grant and Mike unpack the myths, address concerns like constitutionality and the impact on public schools, and explore what's at stake for Mississippi's families and future. And stick around to the end for some thoughts on the 2027 governor's race, which is already in full swing.