The Woodshed with Jody Barrett

Jody Barrett For Tennessee
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The Woodshed is where Tennessee politics get real. Hosted by Jody Barrett, State Representative for the 69th District, and voted Most Conservative Legislator in the Tennessee General Assembly. This podcast gives an inside look at what is really going down at the Capitol. From bills being debated to what happens when the cameras are turned off. No spin. No fluff. Just straight talk about the people and policies shaping Tennessee’s future.

Episodes

  1. Apr 15

    Fast & Furious at the Capitol: Bills Moving, Budget Battles, and Big Wins

    This week on The Woodshed, State Representative Jody Barrett (HD-69) is back from Easter break and diving straight into the chaos of the final stretch of the legislative session. From family life on the farm — including newborn goats, spring sports, and wedding prep — to the fast-moving pace inside the Capitol, Jody gives a real look at life both at home and under the dome. At the legislature, things have officially shifted into overdrive. With budget negotiations nearing completion, bills are now flying through committees and hitting the House floor at record speed. In this episode, Jody breaks down: The passage of key bills like Communism education standards (HB 1805) and “Kobe’s Law” (HB 2167)The revival of the “Lazarus Bill” focused on strengthening enforcement of no-contact ordersProgress on the Tennessee Anti-Grooming ActMultiple bills heading “behind the budget” — including a Bitcoin reserve strategy and public safety measuresEfforts to reimburse local counties for emergency response costs after a major explosionHe also shares major momentum, with four of his bills advancing for potential funding, a rare and significant achievement this late in session. Plus, Jody gives insight into: A long-awaited Charlotte town charter update finally moving forwardA powerful moment on the House floor featuring Drew & Ellie Holcomb performing Tennessee’s newest state songA meaningful “God wink” tying together a river protection bill and a pastor’s prayerAnd finally, he tackles the biggest issue still looming — the Education Freedom Scholarship expansion, breaking down the politics, the money, and the controversy around changing the rules after the fact. As session barrels toward the finish line, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the decisions, the pressure, and the reality of how things actually get done. No spin. No filters. Just the truth from inside the Capitol.

  2. Mar 31

    March Madness, State Song Wins, and Capitol Shenanigans Behind the Scenes

    This week on The Woodshed, State Representative Jody Barrett (HD-69) brings a mix of wins, updates, and some behind-the-scenes frustration from the Tennessee Capitol. Jody kicks things off with some March Madness energy — from the Tennessee Vols making a deep tournament run to the chaos ramping up inside the legislature as session heads toward the finish line. On the legislative front, he celebrates the passage of House Bill 1542, officially making “Tennessee” by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors the state’s newest official song — and shares the history behind Tennessee’s long list of iconic state songs. He also breaks down key bills moving through the process, including: A new K–12 education bill focused on teaching the history and consequences of communism“Kobe’s Law”, aimed at helping college students participate in electionsThe Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act, designed to intervene before abuse happensA proposed state Bitcoin reserve strategy And ongoing efforts to fix gaps in domestic violence enforcement lawsBut the heart of this episode is a candid look at the politics behind the politics — as Jody walks through how a local bill for the town of Charlotte got unexpectedly stalled, revealing the kind of backroom maneuvering and “gamesmanship” that rarely gets talked about publicly. From real legislative wins to real frustration, this episode pulls back the curtain on how things actually work at the Capitol. No spin. No filters. Just the truth from inside the process.

  3. Mar 23

    School Choice Showdown, Rural Funding Fights, and a Georgia Abortion Case That Raises Big Questions

    This week on The Woodshed, State Representative Jody Barrett (HD-69) breaks down a packed stretch of late-session action in the Tennessee General Assembly. Jody covers two appropriation requests for the 69th District — one to help reimburse Hickman and Humphreys Counties for emergency response costs tied to the AES facility explosion, and another to help Lewis County handle the enormous cleanup bill from Winter Storm Fern. He also walks through major floor action, including immigration-related legislation, Ag Day on the Hill, Homeschool Day on the Hill, and several of his own bills moving — or stalling — in committee. The centerpiece of the episode is a deep dive into the fight over expanding Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program, with Jody arguing that the current structure overwhelmingly benefits wealthier counties while leaving rural districts behind. He explains why he believes lawmakers need real data before doubling the program’s cost. Finally, Jody closes with a developing Georgia abortion case that he says raises the same legal and moral questions behind Tennessee’s ongoing debate over unborn life, abortion pills, and equal protection under the law. No spin. No filters. Just what happened, what’s next, and why it matters.

  4. Mar 16

    HB 570: Equal Protection, the Right to Life, and the Bill That Never Got a Hearing

    In Episode 9 of The Woodshed, Jody Barrett dedicates the entire episode to one issue: House Bill 570, his Equal Protection bill addressing the legal status of unborn children under Tennessee law. After the bill failed to receive even a motion or second in committee, Jody breaks down the reasoning behind the legislation and why he believes the conversation deserved a hearing. The episode explores the philosophical and constitutional foundations of the right to life, tracing the argument back to the Declaration of Independence, natural rights theory, and the principle that governments exist to protect inherent rights — not grant them. Jody also walks through existing Tennessee statutes defining unborn children as members of the human species from fertilization, highlighting what he calls inconsistencies in current law regarding abortion and equal protection under the 14th Amendment. Finally, he addresses media coverage surrounding the bill, including headlines that framed the legislation as a “death penalty bill,” and explains why he believes those descriptions misrepresented the bill’s intent. This episode is a deeper dive into the legal, constitutional, and moral arguments surrounding HB 570 and the broader debate over how the law should treat unborn life. No spin. No filters. Just the explanation behind the bill that sparked the debate. Pull up a chair.

  5. Mar 9

    War Abroad, Bills at Home, and the Fight for Data in Tennessee Schools

    This week on The Woodshed, Jody Barrett opens with major international developments, including escalating conflict with Iran and what it could mean for the United States and global stability. Back in Washington, Jody breaks down the stalled SAVE Act, growing pressure on the Senate over voter ID requirements, and a controversial vote in Congress over releasing internal misconduct records tied to taxpayer-funded settlements. Then it’s back to Tennessee, where the legislature is shifting into high gear after a week of budget hearings. Jody walks through the realities of how the state budget process works and how it impacts hundreds of bills moving through the General Assembly. He also gives updates on several pieces of legislation he’s sponsoring, including: The Tennessee Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act A proposal to add Drew Holcomb’s “Tennessee” as an official state song Election integrity bills focused on paper ballots and precinct voting The Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act A curriculum bill expanding education on the history of communism An Election Day class holiday proposal for Tennessee universities A bill protecting the right to directed blood donations A proposal to study electric grid security and transformer protection Finally, Jody dives deep into what he calls one of the most important bills he’s carrying this session — House Bill 1544, which would require detailed reporting and transparency on Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program so lawmakers can evaluate whether the program is reaching the students it was designed to help. From international headlines to the details that shape state policy, this episode covers a lot of ground — with the same straightforward analysis and behind-the-scenes perspective listeners expect from The Woodshed. Pull up a chair.

  6. Mar 1

    Bitcoin, Ballots, and the Big Debate: Equal Protection on the Hill

    This week on The Woodshed, State Representative Jody Barrett (HD-69) checks in from California before heading back home to Tennessee — and dives straight into what moved on the House floor and what’s heating up in committee. A statewide rounding policy passes as vendors phase out pennies Expanded paid leave for state employee foster parents A major employment law preemption bill to prevent local governments from overriding state-level workforce policies The return of the Presidential Fitness Test in Tennessee public schools Jody outlines a slate of bills he’s carrying, including: The Tennessee Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act — allowing limited state investment discretion in Bitcoin A constitutional amendment affirming parental rights in education decisions, including homeschooling Election integrity bills focused on paper ballots and precinct-based voting The Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act, creating new felony charges aimed at preventing child exploitation The History of Communism curriculum bill, heading back through Finance An Election Day civic participation bill encouraging state university policies that promote voting and volunteer engagement The Autologous and Directed Blood Donation bill, protecting patients’ rights to use designated blood donations during surgery A new bill focused on electric grid security and transformer protection, addressing vulnerabilities in Tennessee’s infrastructure The episode’s primary focus is HB 570, Jody’s Equal Protection bill, addressing legal consistency surrounding unborn children under Tennessee law. He responds directly to recent media coverage, explains the bill’s intent, and walks through: The legal definition of “person” in current Tennessee law How existing homicide statutes apply to unborn children The legal concept of intent The distinction between medical emergencies and intentional acts Why he argues the bill is about consistency and equal application of the law — not about the death penalty Jody frames the debate as a fundamental legal question: When does human life begin — and when does equal protection apply? It’s a heavy episode — one centered on law, logic, constitutional structure, and the role of state legislatures in a post-Dobbs America. Agree or disagree, the conversation is happening — and this episode lays out Jody’s reasoning, directly and without filters. For more updates from the Capitol, visit JodyBarrett.com and follow Jody on social media. No spin. No filters. Just what’s happening on the hill.

  7. Feb 21

    Winter Sports, Local Elections, and the “Big Bill on the Hill”

    This week in The Woodshed, State Representative Jody Barrett (HD-69) kicks things off with life back home — better weather after weeks of ice cleanup, Winter Olympics highlights, spring sports firing up across the district, and shoutouts to local student champions. Then it’s straight into county election season across Dickson, Hickman, and Lewis counties, including filing updates, late-breaking candidate changes, waivers, and early chatter about potential higher-office matchups. From there, Jody recaps the week at the Capitol: HB 1805 (communism curriculum standards) hits a procedural detour through Finance HB 2165 (Election Day academic holiday for state colleges/universities) gains momentum — with the UT student behind it testifying HB 2166 (autologous/direct blood donation rights) advances with strong support and Senate-side progress HB 570 (equal protection for unborn children) draws media attention — and what Jody calls misleading headlines Finally, Jody breaks down the biggest fight of the week: HB 1971 / SB 1958, a bill he argues could restrict Tennesseans’ ability to challenge state government actions in court — and why that matters for constitutional rights, accountability, and the balance of power. Plus: what to expect next week as the House shifts into budget hearing mode and the session speeds up fast. No spin. No filters. Just the recap — and what’s coming next.

  8. Feb 16

    Presidents Day, Legislative Wins, and the Fight for Transparency

    In this special Presidents Day episode of The Woodshed, Jody Barrett looks back at the latest developments inside the Tennessee General Assembly and ahead to what’s coming next. Jody breaks down committee activity, including progress on bills addressing the appraiser business tax repeal, tougher penalties for intentional highway blocking, medical freedom through autologous blood donation, and a proposal to make Election Day a class holiday at Tennessee’s public universities. He also dives into the growing debate over Education Freedom Scholarship transparency, explaining why data, accountability, and long-term budget impacts matter as the program expands. To close, Jody reflects on the origins of Presidents Day and shares a timely excerpt from George Washington’s Farewell Address — a warning about political division that still resonates today. No spin. No filters. Just history, policy, and straight talk from inside the process. Pull up a chair.

  9. Feb 7

    The Budget, the Bills, and What’s Actually on the Table This Session

    In this episode of The Woodshed, Jody Barrett delivers a deep, no-nonsense breakdown of Governor Lee’s proposed budget and what it really means for Tennessee. Jody walks through major spending priorities — education funding, school choice, infrastructure, public safety, state parks, disaster response, health care costs, and the growing pressure of federal funding shortfalls — while explaining what’s recurring, what’s one-time, and what deserves closer scrutiny. He also lays out his full legislative slate for the session, including bills on public safety, education transparency, child protection, election integrity, school choice, medical freedom, grid security, and more — plus what’s moving, what’s stalled, and what to watch in the weeks ahead. No talking points. No headlines. Just the numbers, the bills, and the decisions coming next — straight from inside the process. Pull up a chair.

  10. Feb 1

    Storm Recovery, Border Reality, and Tennessee’s Immigration Crackdown

    This week in The Woodshed, Jody Barrett starts on the ground — literally — with an inside look at Winter Storm Fern recovery across Dickson, Hickman, and Lewis Counties, including power restoration, TDOT priorities, and National Guard deployments. Then it’s back to the Capitol, where Jody breaks down a major eight-bill immigration package being rolled out in Tennessee. Using newly released statewide crime data, he explains why leadership says action is overdue — and walks through what the bills actually do: enforcement authority, E-Verify, CDL accountability, driver’s license requirements, public benefits, professional licenses, and real cost reporting. No headlines. No slogans. Just data, law, and what’s coming next in this legislative session — straight from inside the process.

  11. Jan 24

    The Line Between Big Ag & Your Rights - House Bill 809

    In Episode 2 of The Woodshed, Jody Barrett breaks down the real fight behind House Bill 809 — a proposal that would shield pesticide manufacturers like Bayer/Monsanto from lawsuits tied to Roundup and glyphosate. This isn’t about party politics. It’s about corporate power vs. individual rights, access to the courts, and whether the state should protect billion-dollar companies from Tennessee citizens and juries. Jody explains how the bill stalled, why the celebration may be premature, and how the legislative process is supposed to work when it’s not rushed or rigged. No spin. No fear-mongering. Just facts, law, and straight talk from inside the Capitol. Pull up a chair — this one matters.

  12. Jan 21

    Welcome to the Woodshed with Jody Barrett

    Welcome to The Woodshed, where Tennessee politics don’t get polished — they get planed down to the truth. In Episode 1, Rep. Jody Barrett (TN-69) lays out what this show is really about: weekly session recaps, behind-the-scenes Capitol stories, and the bills you don’t hear explained anywhere else. He dives into the 114th General Assembly, election-year shakeups, and what happens when you buck leadership — including the voucher fight, getting blocked in committee, and why you should keep an eye on TVA, utilities, and data centers this session. No spin. No filters. Just the stuff that actually matters. 👉 JodyBarrett.com | Follow Jody on all socials.

  • 12 Episodes

About

The Woodshed is where Tennessee politics get real. Hosted by Jody Barrett, State Representative for the 69th District, and voted Most Conservative Legislator in the Tennessee General Assembly. This podcast gives an inside look at what is really going down at the Capitol. From bills being debated to what happens when the cameras are turned off. No spin. No fluff. Just straight talk about the people and policies shaping Tennessee’s future.

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