Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin is a product of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that hosts real conversations with real parents from across Texas where they share their experiences, struggles, and victories within the Texas education system. From concerning content in public schools to classroom behavior and wins in homeschooling, Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin covers all aspects of Texas education through the parents eyes—and asks how we can ensure transparency, quality, respect, and choice for all Texas parents, students, and taxpayers.

  1. 3d ago

    Parents Know Best: Hadley’s Story w/ Hadley & Taryn

    Why are Texas parents of special needs students leaving public schools for specialized private options? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Taryn, a mom to Hadley and a paraprofessional at Oak Creek Academy in Killeen, Texas, along with Hadley herself. Taryn shares their powerful journey from frustrating public school experiences, including the loss of sign language support, ineffective “inclusion” practices, limited therapies, and behavioral challenges, to finding real hope at a private school built specifically for students with special needs. They discuss how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are a lifeline of freedom for parents by direct funding to the environment where their child can thrive, instead of being stuck based on their zip code.

    36 min
  2. Qatar’s Grip on Texas Universities with Kate Bierly

    Jun 4

    Qatar’s Grip on Texas Universities with Kate Bierly

    What’s really happening with Texas A&M’s ties to the Qatar Foundation, and why should Texans be paying attention? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with TPPF's Kate Bierly to discuss Texas A&M’s Qatar campus and the national security threat it poses for Texas and America. The two dive into the role of soft power, foreign funding, national security concerns, and university transparency and accountability. Mandy and Kate also discuss policy solutions lawmakers can pursue to safeguard Texas institutions.

    22 min
  3. Unpacking Family Formation with Hannah Bruck

    May 28

    Unpacking Family Formation with Hannah Bruck

    Why are fewer young Americans getting married and what does this mean for the future of families? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with TPPF's family policy expert, Hannah Bruck, to examine the cultural, economic, and societal forces shaping marriage and family formation in America today. From the rise of online dating culture and social media influence to shifting cultural views on relationships, and financial stability, this conversation explores why so many young people are delaying marriage... or avoiding it altogether. Mandy and Hannah also discuss the critical role strong families play in building healthy communities, raising successful children, and sustaining a thriving society.

    45 min
  4. Taking on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying with Sen. Adam Hinojosa | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

    May 21

    Taking on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying with Sen. Adam Hinojosa | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

    On this episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, filmed live at Texas Policy Summit 2026, Mandy sits down with Texas Senator Adam Hinojosa to discuss one of the biggest government reform battles in Texas: ending taxpayer-funded lobbying. Sen. Hinojosa explains how taxpayer-funded lobbyists use millions of taxpayer dollars to lobby against reforms like: Property tax reliefSchool choiceProtecting girls’ sportsKeeping boys out of girls’ bathroomsEducation reform and accountabilityTransparency in government spending The conversation exposes how organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Texas Municipal League (TML), and Texas Association of Counties (TAC) influence legislation while using public money to oppose the will of Texas taxpayers. Mandy and Sen. Hinojosa also break down the exploding local government debt crisis, skyrocketing school bond spending, and how taxpayers are being forced to fund lobbying efforts against their own interests. Sen. Hinojosa shares why banning taxpayer-funded lobbying is critical to restoring accountability, protecting families, lowering property taxes, and defending Texas values. If you care about government transparency, education reform, property tax relief, and stopping government waste, this is a must-watch conversation. 👉 Subscribe for more interviews from Texas Policy Summit 2026 and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. #TexasPolitics #AdamHinojosa #TaxpayerFundedLobbying #PropertyTaxes #SchoolChoice #TexasLegislature #MandyDrogin #TexasPolicySummit #GovernmentReform #EducationReform #ConservativePolicy #TPPF

    26 min
  5. Bonds, Property Taxes & Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

    May 14

    Bonds, Property Taxes & Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

    On this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin is joined by James Quintero, Policy Director for the Taxpayer Protection Project, and Jose Melendez, Campaign Director for the Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, to break down how rising property taxes and massive school bond elections are impacting Texas families. The team discusses the growing influence of taxpayer-funded lobbyists, the “education cartel,” and how controversial bond packages — including Dallas ISD’s record-breaking $6.2 billion bond election — could make Texans’ bank accounts even smaller. Learn how Texas school bonds work, why property taxes continue to rise, and what these elections mean for homeowners, parents, and taxpayers across the state. 🔹 Topics Covered: Texas property taxesDallas ISD $6.2 billion bond electionSchool bond elections in TexasTaxpayer-funded lobbyingGovernment accountability and oversightEducation spending and taxpayer impactTexas education policyLocal government debt and bonds 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on education freedom, parental rights, government accountability, and Texas policy.

    45 min
  6. The Truth on Qatar's Radical Islamist Networks w/ Jordan Cope

    May 7

    The Truth on Qatar's Radical Islamist Networks w/ Jordan Cope

    In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Jordan Cope, StandWithUs Director of Policy Education and expert on Qatar’s radical Islamist networks, to expose how Qatar is infiltrating Texas through soft power tactics, funding of our higher education and institutions, and direct support of designated terrorist group Hamas.

    43 min
  7. Restoring the Purpose of Higher Education w/ Justin Dyer

    Apr 30

    Restoring the Purpose of Higher Education w/ Justin Dyer

    How do we restore civic education in higher education? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Justin Dyer, Dean of the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore the growing movement to restore classical education and civic understanding in higher education. Dyer shares why many universities have drifted from their original mission and what it will take to course correct. From the rise of classical education in Texas to the urgent need for better teacher training, this conversation examines how colleges can equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain a free society.

    51 min
  8. Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists and The Education Cartel

    Apr 24

    Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists and The Education Cartel

    On this explosive episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Judge Shepard and Ben Crockett from the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government Reform & Oversight Coalition to expose the powerful role of taxpayer-funded lobbyists in the Texas Legislature. Discover how organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) use taxpayer dollars to influence lawmakers and block meaningful education and government reform in Texas. This eye-opening conversation breaks down the hidden lobbying system operating behind the scenes and what it means for parents and taxpayers. They also dive into two groundbreaking new research reports from TPPF, revealing: How much taxpayer money is being funneled into lobbyists’ pocketsHow school bond debt is being manipulated and used against Texas taxpayersThe growing financial burden on families across the state If you care about education reform, government transparency, and protecting taxpayer dollars in Texas, this is a must-watch.

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin is a product of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that hosts real conversations with real parents from across Texas where they share their experiences, struggles, and victories within the Texas education system. From concerning content in public schools to classroom behavior and wins in homeschooling, Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin covers all aspects of Texas education through the parents eyes—and asks how we can ensure transparency, quality, respect, and choice for all Texas parents, students, and taxpayers.

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