The Right Idea

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with Jacob Howland, the Provost and Dean of Intellectual Foundations at University of Austin, to discuss the need for an entirely new type of university in response to young Americans turning away from higher education… and for good reasons.

3:55 Jacob Howland’s victory lap for UATX
6:40 The Left’s argument against higher learning like University of Austin
8:00 What sets UATX’s curriculum apart from most other universities?
13:40 What kind of faculty and students is UATX looking for, and how do they find them?
19:35 The problem with faculty and administrators at most American universities
25:14 UATX is the only university in the U.S. with a Constitution
32:50 How can UATX escape wokeness but maintain funding?
35:55 UATX location - navigating East 6th & West 6th
38:28 How will UATX face Austin’s predictable onslaught of protests?
39:55 How is the Left likely to respond to conservative universities?
42:15 Will other places of higher learning be positively influenced by UATX?
43:45 How does UATX respond to the public’s primary concerns: Cost, Quality of Education and Ideology of the University?

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with the CEO and Founder of OpenTheBooks.com, Adam Andrzejewski, who works to promote transparency in public policy and politics by removing the veil of secrecy that covers up national and local spending.

2:10 What is OpenTheBooks.com?
3:45 How “Free and transparent” are Freedom of Information Act requests?
6:20 Texas’ reforms regarding government transparency
10:40 America’s trust in its government
12:50 How is America really spending money to “protect” our southern border?
22:10 How effective is our education spending?
27:35 The ties between education, parental empowerment and Open the Books
31:50 Efficiency Audits on local jurisdictions 
34:40 The worst spending atrocities Open the Books has discovered
36:47 How bad did COVID spending get and what did it lead to?

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with TPPF’s Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester to discuss the results of the 2024 Primary Election, from a national, statewide and local perspective.

2:26 Derek’s take on the major headlines coming out of Tuesday’s results - Parents Win!
3:19 Sherry’s take on the big winners and losers - Don’t mess with Governor Abbott
6:04 How School Choice impacted Texas statewide
9:50 The Media’s coverage of Super Tuesday
17:43 School Choice Support in the 89th Legislature
19:35 What will the School Choice debate look like next year?
26:15 George Soros failed
35:49 Who are Texas’ new Congressional candidates?
39:22 New Senator hazing

TPPF Vice President of Research Derek Cohen interviews National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin about the philosophy of conservatism, the current state of politics and policy, and Major League Baseball.

In this week’s episode of The Right Idea, Brian and Derek discuss The Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and the global “sport” of polling and politics!

Brian Phillips is joined by TPPF's Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown, and Director of Litigation, Chance Weldon, to discuss Texas Senate Bill 14, which prohibits gender modification procedures for children in the state.

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, TPPF’s Distinguished Senior Fellow, Mark Mills for an intriguing discussion regarding the impact that leftist green initiatives have made on our industries, personal lives and economy.

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, TPPF’s Chief of Intelligence & Research and Director for Texas Identity, Joshua Treviño for a lively discussion regarding the current status of the crisis along our southern border and beyond, as well as predictions for what 2024 might have in store for Texas.

3:00 Derek’s Interim Update
8:45 Overview of current Texas - Mexico relationship
11:40 Explosion - even INVASION of illegals crossing our southern border 
17:55 Border crisis affecting “sanctuary cities”
20:40 Biden Administration Sues Texas to Stop Enforcement of State Law Criminalizing Illegal Immigration
22:05 TPPF Predicted it: The Feds Just Messed With Texas Over Buoys — And Sided With Cartel-Driven Mexico
22:45 Biden is asking for Mexican help to stop the record surge of migrants. Here's what Mexico wants in return.
27:25 Universal opinion on securing the border from law enforcement… so why isn’t it happening?
30:55 If a Republican takes the White House, what changes can be made immediately?
36:00 Predictions for 2024 - Biggest issues for GOP/Dems this election year? 
40:40 GOP and Dem presidential nominee? Winner?
43:15 Super Bowl?

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, Senior Reporter for the Texan, Brad Johnson, for a year in review episode where the trio hands out “The Righties.”

5:45 Biggest Stories of 2023
15:15 Biggest Wins of 2023
20:20 Biggest Disappointments of 2023
34:10 Biggest Surprises of the Year
39:25 Legislators of the Year
47:10 Texans of the Year

Brian and Derek are joined by Josh Findlay, Director of TPPF's new National Election Protection Project, to discuss the current state of our elections and efforts being made to make them more secure and trustworthy for everyone.

1:30 Derek’s Lege-Land Update
1:45 School Choice in Special Session #4
7:20 Border Safety Legislative Wins
12:10 Interview with Josh Findlay
17:40 Is there a path to election “normalcy”?
20:45 Addressing states with histories of election issues
25:15 What is Rank Choice Voting?
30:55 What are the greatest threats to the 2024 election?
35:00 Broader issues that could undermine future elections
39:15 Are Texas elections secure?
41:10 NGO’s, Zuck Bucks, drop boxes and the impacts they can have on elections
43:55 Have election reforms caused a decrease in voter turnout?