Texas Talks

Texas Talks
  • 5.0 (2)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Texas Talks with Brad Swail is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.

  1. Powering the Next Texas Economy

    1D AGO

    Powering the Next Texas Economy

    As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores one of the most critical challenges facing the state’s future: building an electric grid that can keep up with rapid growth while remaining reliable and affordable. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. Host Brad Swail is joined by Pablo Vegas, President and CEO of ERCOT, and Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy at Texas 2036, for a deep dive into how Texas is preparing its power grid for the next decade. The conversation examines how Texas operates one of the most unique deregulated electricity markets in the country — and why that system is being tested by population growth, extreme weather, and rising demand from data centers and new industries. Vegas explains how ERCOT manages supply and demand in real time while forecasting long-term growth, while Mazur breaks down the policy shifts that followed Winter Storm Uri and how lawmakers are approaching reliability and infrastructure. The discussion covers: • How Texas’ deregulated electricity market works • Generation, transmission, and retail explained • Post-Uri reforms and reliability focus • Supply chain and permitting challenges • Growth of solar, wind, and battery storage • The need for a more balanced energy mix • Water’s role in energy reliability • Data center-driven demand growth • Who pays for new infrastructure • What drives electricity prices • Limits of current market incentives • Distributed energy and future grid innovation The episode also highlights a key policy shift: large energy users like data centers may be required to reduce demand first during grid emergencies — protecting residential consumers and critical services. Looking ahead, the conversation underscores a central challenge: Texas must not only build more power, but build the right mix of power to ensure long-term reliability and affordability. 00:00 — Intro + Future of Texas series overview 00:21 — Meet Pablo Vegas (ERCOT) & Jeremy Mazur (Texas 2036) 01:21 — Why Texas’ electric grid matters more than ever 02:02 — Winter Storm Uri: what changed since 2021 03:09 — How Texas’ electricity market works (3-part system) 05:03 — Policy changes and focus on grid reliability 06:20 — Texas growth and rising electricity demand 07:22 — ERCOT’s role: balancing supply and demand 08:09 — Forecasting future demand and infrastructure needs 08:56 — Why power plants take years to build 10:22 — Supply chain issues and energy development delays 11:18 — How incentives shaped solar, wind, and battery growth 13:10 — Water’s critical role in energy reliability 14:10 — Drought risks and power generation challenges 15:31 — Are we building enough power for the future? 16:55 — The imbalance in today’s energy mix 18:48 — Why Texas needs a balanced portfolio of energy sources 19:08 — Legislative efforts to expand nuclear & geothermal 20:14 — Why renewables helped during extreme heat events 21:00 — The future of nuclear, geothermal, and new tech 22:05 — Market design flaws: not all electricity is valued equally 24:02 — Why reliability isn’t priced into the system 25:26 — Data centers: massive demand growth explained 29:18 — Will all proposed data centers actually get built? 31:09 — Who pays for grid expansion? 33:00 — Transmission costs and rate impacts 34:43 — Ensuring fair cost allocation for consumers 35:28 — Can Texas handle future demand growth? 36:13 — Data centers as part of the energy solution 38:23 — New rules: data centers shut off first in emergencies 40:19 — Behind-the-meter energy (self-powered facilities) 41:23 — What will happen to electricity prices? 43:50 — Why Texas still has relatively low power costs 46:05 — Post-Uri reforms and grid resilience improvements 48:20 — Preparing for extreme weather in the future 49:54 — The future: distributed energy and grid innovation 51:30 — Final thoughts + Texas 2036 outlook Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    52 min
  2. Housing Affordability Crisis in Texas: Rates, Supply & Policy w/Sean Dobson

    6D AGO

    Housing Affordability Crisis in Texas: Rates, Supply & Policy w/Sean Dobson

    Why are homes in Texas becoming increasingly unaffordable — and what will it actually take to fix it? In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Sean Dobson, CEO of Amherst Group, to break down the real forces driving today’s housing affordability crisis — and why many popular explanations fall short. Dobson, a veteran of the mortgage and housing markets who correctly anticipated the 2008 financial crisis, explains how today’s challenges are rooted in a mix of monetary policy, supply constraints, and structural issues within housing finance — not just the surface-level narratives dominating political debate. A major focus of the conversation is how historically low interest rates during COVID dramatically increased buying power, pushing home prices up roughly 60% in just four years. At the same time, rising rates have now “locked in” homeowners, reducing supply and making it harder for new buyers to enter the market. Dobson also challenges several widely held assumptions, including the idea that institutional investors are the primary cause of high home prices. Instead, he argues that these investors often provide access to housing for families who cannot qualify for mortgages under today’s stricter lending standards. The conversation also covers: • Why housing affordability is near historic lows • How interest rates drive home prices more than most people realize • The long-term impact of COVID-era monetary policy • Why low-rate mortgages are “locking” homeowners in place • The real role of institutional investors in the housing market • How Dodd-Frank reshaped mortgage access after 2008 • Why the 2008 crisis was driven by fraud — not “subprime borrowers” • The growing burden of property taxes and insurance costs • Why housing is ultimately a local — not national — issue • How zoning laws and regulations drive up construction costs • The hidden costs of design mandates like garages and lot requirements • Why modular construction and innovation struggle to scale • The tradeoffs between expanding credit access and managing risk Dobson also outlines potential solutions, emphasizing that increasing housing supply and allowing more flexibility in home design could significantly reduce costs. He points to recent efforts in Texas — including smaller lot sizes and accessory dwelling units — as steps in the right direction, while arguing that broader reforms may be needed at the state level. The episode closes with a clear takeaway: solving the housing crisis will require difficult tradeoffs, smarter policy, and a willingness to move beyond simplistic narratives about what’s driving the problem. 00:00 — Intro + Sean Dobson joins Texas Talks 00:25 — Dobson’s background and predicting the 2008 crisis 01:23 — What Amherst Group does in housing and finance 03:10 — Why mortgages are more complex than they seem 06:01 — The power of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage 07:09 — Why housing affordability is near historic lows 08:32 — How low interest rates drove home price spikes 10:31 — Why homeowners are “locked in” by low rates 12:12 — Supply constraints and Texas vs other states 13:53 — Property taxes and their impact on affordability 17:02 — Insurance costs and hidden homeownership risks 19:15 — What actually drives construction costs 21:11 — How regulation increases home prices 23:08 — Why housing innovation is limited 25:04 — The role of AI and construction efficiency 27:48 — Institutional investors: myth vs reality 29:23 — Why many renters can’t qualify for mortgages 31:08 — Dodd-Frank and tightening credit access 35:02 — What really caused the 2008 financial crisis 39:15 — Expanding credit vs risk of foreclosures 41:49 — What Texas can do to fix housing affordability 43:50 — Closing Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    44 min
  3. The Future of Raising a Family

    APR 14

    The Future of Raising a Family

    As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores what it really takes to raise a family in Texas today — and what must hold up over the next decade if the state wants to remain a place of opportunity. In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and A.J. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging conversation about the policies, pressures, and quality-of-life factors shaping family life across Texas. The discussion begins with a simple but important question: if Texas wants to remain the best place to live, work, and raise a family, what does that actually require in practice? Parker and Rodriguez argue that the answer goes far beyond economic headlines. It includes affordability, maternal and infant health, access to quality education, child care, safe neighborhoods, housing, and the everyday experience of whether families feel like they can build a stable and hopeful future here. A major focus of the episode is how growth is reshaping Texas. As cities like Fort Worth continue to add residents at a rapid pace, leaders are being forced to ask whether the state’s success is truly working for Texas families — especially those who have been here for generations. Parker emphasizes that city government must stay focused on the basics while also addressing long-term quality-of-life issues, while Rodriguez brings a statewide lens to how those same pressures show up across Texas. The conversation also covers: • Why family well-being should be central to long-term Texas policy • Maternal and infant health challenges in Texas and North Texas • How simple interventions can improve outcomes for mothers and babies • Why child care affordability has become a major barrier for families • The importance of early childhood education as an economic issue • Housing affordability, infill development, and middle-income opportunity • The role of local government in supporting quality of life • How education and postsecondary attainment drive long-term prosperity • Why family-sustaining wages matter for choice, stability, and mobility • The balance between rural and urban needs in the future of Texas Parker also highlights Fort Worth’s efforts to improve maternal health outcomes, support neighborhood revitalization, and expand opportunity through education and workforce pathways. Rodriguez underscores that if Texas wants to preserve its economic momentum, it must invest just as seriously in human infrastructure as it does in roads, water, and broadband. The episode closes with a clear message: the future of Texas will not be measured only by growth, but by whether families can afford to stay, thrive, and see a path forward for the next generation. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. 00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series 00:29 — Why raising a family is central to Texas’s future 00:52 — Guests introduced: Mayor Mattie Parker and A.J. Rodriguez 01:28 — Balancing public service, motherhood, and leadership 03:02 — Why families matter to the Texas miracle 06:08 — Growth, migration, and whether Texas is working for Texans 07:47 — Quality of life and what families actually want 09:49 — Maternal and infant health in Texas 12:13 — Fort Worth’s maternal health coalition and practical interventions 15:05 — Health, education, and quality of life beyond birth 19:08 — Education, workforce pathways, and family prosperity 23:14 — Defining quality of life for Texas families 25:28 — Affordability, child care, housing, and health care pressures 28:34 — Housing affordability and local policy challenges 35:06 — Early childhood education and child care as economic policy 43:50 — Rural and urban family needs across Texas 49:35 — A long-term vision for Texas families 51:19 — The one metric that matters most by 2036 Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    53 min
  4. AI and Public Policy: Transforming Government w/Tanner Jones & Chris Minge

    APR 9

    AI and Public Policy: Transforming Government w/Tanner Jones & Chris Minge

    This episode kicks off the Texas Talks Special Series: AI and Public Policy, a multi-part series exploring how artificial intelligence will reshape governance at every level in the years ahead. Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace — but can government keep up? In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Tanner Jones and Chris Minge, cofounders of Vulcan Technologies, to launch the series with a deep dive into how AI is already transforming the private sector — and why government risks falling dangerously behind if it fails to adapt. Jones and Minge explain how their company is working to bring “frontier AI” into state and federal government, giving policymakers the tools to better understand laws, budgets, and regulatory systems in real time. They argue that without modernization, the gap between private-sector innovation and government capability could grow so wide that it undermines effective governance. The discussion also dives into the structural problems holding government back — from outdated procurement systems to legacy vendors delivering obsolete technology — and how those inefficiencies impact everything from permitting to policymaking. The conversation also covers: • Why government technology often lags years behind the private sector • How outdated procurement systems slow innovation and increase costs • The risks of governments relying on outdated AI models • Why AI should serve as a tool for policymakers — not replace them • How Vulcan’s platform helps navigate massive legal and regulatory datasets • The challenge of building clean, usable government data from fragmented systems • How AI can reduce months-long processes (like permitting) down to days • The dangers of a fragmented, state-by-state regulatory patchwork • Why startups — not just legacy vendors — are critical to innovation in government • How Texas is positioning itself as a national leader in AI-driven governance • The broader economic and policy implications of AI adoption Jones and Minge also highlight real-world results, including dramatic reductions in time spent on routine government tasks and the ability for public servants to focus more on high-level policy work instead of clerical processes. Looking ahead, they argue that states like Texas that successfully integrate AI into governance will see faster economic growth, more efficient public services, and a stronger competitive advantage — while those that fail to adapt risk falling further behind. 00:00 — Introduction to AI and public policy series 00:27 — Tanner Jones and Chris Minge introduce Vulcan Technologies 01:10 — Founders’ background and company origin story 02:28 — The growing gap between private sector and government tech 03:55 — Why outdated government tech threatens the “Republic” 05:10 — Procurement failures and legacy vendors explained 06:59 — Why citizens often have better AI tools than government 07:47 — Are government buyers equipped to evaluate tech? 09:08 — How AI models rapidly become outdated 10:38 — Concerns about AI accuracy, hallucinations, and control 11:49 — AI as a tool vs decision-maker in government 13:13 — What happens if government falls too far behind 14:38 — Procurement bottlenecks and adoption challenges 16:10 — Vendor lock-in and inflated government tech costs 17:54 — Why Vulcan ships updates differently 18:58 — Real-world use cases: governors and policymaking tools 20:15 — Navigating legal, budget, and regulatory systems with AI 21:26 — Why generic AI tools fail for government use 22:42 — Building massive legal datasets from scratch 24:06 — The challenge of unusable government data (PDFs, scans) 26:17 — Texas innovation and the Regulatory Efficiency Office 27:47 — The risks of a fragmented AI regulatory patchwork 29:20 — Balancing AI innovation with necessary guardrails 31:16 — Compliance challenges and FedRAMP 33:02 — Real-world example: fixing permitting bottlenecks 35:23 — What becomes possible with AI in government 37:08 — Cleaning up contradictory laws and regulations 38:43 — Real results: time savings and productivity gains 41:21 — The future of AI-driven governance in Texas 44:06 — Economic growth and competitive advantage from AI adoption 45:03 — Closing thoughts and where to learn more Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    46 min
  5. The Future of Texas' Court System

    APR 7

    The Future of Texas' Court System

    As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how Texas courts and the justice system must evolve to serve a rapidly growing state. In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and Luis Soberon, Senior Policy Advisor and In House Counsel at Texas 2036, for a forward-looking conversation about the future of courts, access to justice, and judicial reform in Texas. As Texas adds more residents, more businesses, and more complexity to its economy, the demands on the justice system are growing as well. Chief Justice Jefferson and Soberon discuss how population growth affects everything from family law and criminal dockets to business disputes and court backlogs — and why the state must modernize now if it wants to preserve public trust and timely access to justice by 2036. The conversation also examines how Texas courts have already evolved through electronic filing, virtual hearings, and greater public transparency, while also looking ahead to the next wave of change driven by AI, data systems, and digital tools that could make the justice system more accessible and more efficient. The discussion also covers: • Why access to justice still depends too heavily on who can afford a lawyer • How legal aid, pro bono work, and technology can help narrow that gap • The role of e-filing, courtroom livestreams, and digital systems in modernizing courts • How AI could improve legal access and court administration without replacing human judgment • Why Texas may need more courts, more judges, and stronger court funding as the state grows • Whether partisan judicial elections still make sense in a more populous and polarized Texas • Why court data and transparency are essential to understanding backlog, performance, and reform • How simple changes like text reminders and clearer notices can improve compliance and reduce harm • Why backlog reduction and access to justice may be the clearest markers of success by 2036 Chief Justice Jefferson argues that Texas should aim to become a national leader in ensuring every resident can protect their most basic rights in court, while Soberon emphasizes that better data, smarter administration, and sustained investment will be critical if the justice system is going to keep pace with Texas’s future. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. 00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series and today’s justice focus 00:29 — Why population growth puts pressure on Texas courts 01:14 — Guests introduced: Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson and Luis Soberon 02:26 — What it means for justice to evolve in a growing state 03:22 — Access to justice and why cost remains the biggest barrier 04:15 — Technology, remote hearings, and how courts have already changed 05:44 — Chief Justice Jefferson on modernizing the Texas court system 07:16 — AI, court technology, and the future of legal access 09:53 — The growing gap between people who have lawyers and people who do not 11:22 — Legal aid, self-help tools, and high-volume civil cases 15:20 — How AI could transform legal work without replacing judges or lawyers 20:04 — How growth affects court demand, specialization, and business courts 24:25 — More judges, more courts, and pressure on judicial elections 27:53 — Can judicial independence survive a hyperpartisan environment? 32:23 — What a chief justice actually does in the Texas court system 37:30 — The data problem in Texas courts and why it matters 41:06 — How better data could reveal backlog, performance, and reform needs 47:30 — Transparency, text reminders, and making courts easier to navigate 53:08 — State policy changes needed to modernize Texas justice 56:16 — The one metric that will show whether Texas got it right by 2036 Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    59 min
  6. Current and Future Justice Reforms in Texas w/ Marc Levin

    APR 2

    Current and Future Justice Reforms in Texas w/ Marc Levin

    In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Marc Levin, Chief Policy Counsel at the Council on Criminal Justice, for a wide-ranging conversation about where criminal justice reform stands in Texas today — and what lawmakers should be focused on next. Levin reflects on his long history in Texas criminal justice policy, from the 2007 reforms that helped the state avoid building thousands of new prison beds to the current push for a smarter, more data-driven justice system. He explains why public safety remains the core mission of government, but argues that Texas works best when policy is guided by proportionality, fairness, accountability, and evidence about what actually reduces crime and recidivism. The conversation explores recent reforms from the 89th Texas Legislature, including expanded pretrial funding, parole process changes through the Sunset review of TDCJ, and the constitutional amendment updating bail rules. Levin also discusses why plea bargaining deserves more scrutiny, how better data could help policymakers compare sentences and outcomes across counties, and why transparency matters if Texas wants to know whether its justice system is truly working. The discussion also covers: • The importance of pretrial services and front-loading treatment and support • Geriatric parole and streamlining release decisions for low-risk elderly inmates • Why Texas still needs better sentencing and recidivism data • The debate over prison air conditioning and what “smart justice” should mean • How AI can help solve crimes and inform decisions — without replacing human judgment • Why veterans need better identification and support within the justice system • Clean slate proposals for automatic record sealing of minor misdemeanors • Fentanyl testing strips as a harm-reduction tool to save lives • “Second look” sentencing for people who committed serious crimes as juveniles • Why trust in the justice system may be just as important as recidivism rates Levin makes the case that Texas has already shown it can lower both crime and incarceration at the same time — but only if lawmakers keep focusing on reforms that are practical, measurable, and rooted in outcomes rather than rhetoric. 00:00 — Introduction and Marc Levin joins the podcast 01:05 — Marc Levin’s background and Texas criminal justice reform history 03:38 — What a smarter justice system actually looks like 05:16 — The biggest reforms from the 89th Texas Legislature 06:45 — Pretrial services, treatment, and front-loaded support 08:29 — Plea bargains, coercion, and the “trial penalty” 10:47 — Why Texas needs better sentencing and justice system data 12:45 — TDCJ Sunset review and parole process changes 16:18 — Prison air conditioning and the debate over humane conditions 19:17 — Why solving more crimes matters more than harsher conditions 21:36 — How AI is changing criminal justice policy 24:24 — Risk assessments, facial recognition, and guardrails for AI 29:00 — Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature 29:45 — Veterans justice reform and better reentry support 34:08 — Clean slate policy and sealing minor misdemeanor records 35:54 — Fentanyl testing strips and harm reduction 38:06 — Second look sentencing for juveniles 40:18 — Is recidivism the best metric for justice reform? 43:26 — Long-term Texas trends in crime, incarceration, and reform 45:13 — Final thoughts: data, trust, and what Texas should do next Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    48 min
  7. The Future of Megaregions

    MAR 31

    The Future of Megaregions

    As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how rapid population growth is reshaping the state — and what it will take to manage that growth successfully over the next decade. In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio, and A.J. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President at Texas 2036, for a deep dive into the rise of Texas “mega regions” — particularly the fast-growing Austin–San Antonio corridor. With Texas now exceeding 31 million residents and continuing to grow rapidly, the conversation focuses on how interconnected metropolitan regions — including the broader Texas Triangle — are becoming the true drivers of economic growth, population expansion, and global competitiveness. Cisneros and Rodriguez explain that Texas is no longer defined primarily by rural or energy-based economies, but by large, dynamic urban regions producing the majority of the state’s GDP. They argue that the key challenge ahead is not whether Texas will grow — but whether leaders can plan effectively to manage that growth. The discussion also covers: • The rise of the Austin–San Antonio mega region and the broader Texas Triangle • Why regional collaboration — not city-by-city planning — is critical to future success • Housing affordability challenges and the risks of underbuilding • Water supply, infrastructure gaps, and long-term sustainability concerns • Transportation bottlenecks, congestion, and the need for rail and mobility innovation • Workforce development, education, and closing the postsecondary attainment gap • Economic mobility, poverty challenges, and the importance of human capital investment • Lessons from other global regions that failed — or succeeded — in managing growth The conversation highlights a central theme: Texas is at a pivotal moment. With the right planning, coordination, and investment, it could become one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world — but failure to act could lead to congestion, affordability crises, and missed opportunity. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. 00:00 — Introduction to Texas growth and the Future of Texas series 00:25 — Texas population growth and rise of mega regions 01:15 — Guests introduced: Henry Cisneros and A.J. Rodriguez 02:01 — Urbanization and the Texas Triangle explained 03:36 — Why Texas growth is inevitable — and what’s at stake 05:09 — Regionalism and planning for 2036 population growth 06:18 — Austin–San Antonio mega region and regional identity 08:14 — Economic power of Texas metro regions 09:44 — Texas as a global economic competitor 10:38 — Collaboration vs competition between cities 11:32 — Infrastructure challenges: transportation and congestion 16:11 — Water supply risks and long-term planning 18:43 — Housing affordability and supply challenges 22:08 — Economic mobility and poverty concerns 25:02 — Workforce development and education gaps 29:00 — Need for regional coordination and governance structures 32:04 — Rail, mobility innovation, and future transportation 37:00 — Role of state government and policy coordination 41:34 — Lessons from other regions that failed to plan 45:13 — Global competition and Texas’s economic potential 52:17 — Preparing the workforce for AI and future jobs 54:56 — What Texas must focus on before 2036 57:04 — Final vision: what Texas could become if done right Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    59 min
  8. Future of Work in Texas: Skills, Mobility, Opportunity w/Roy Spence & Renzo Soto (Future of Texas)

    MAR 24

    Future of Work in Texas: Skills, Mobility, Opportunity w/Roy Spence & Renzo Soto (Future of Texas)

    As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores a critical question: how does Texas ensure its economic growth translates into real opportunity, mobility, and purpose for its people? In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Roy Spence, co-founder and longtime chairman of GSD&M and founder of the Make It Movement and the Purpose Institute, along with Renzo Soto, Deputy Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of work in Texas. The discussion focuses on skills, workforce readiness, career awareness, and how Texas can better connect students and workers to meaningful, high-opportunity careers. Soto explains how Texas is trying to align education and workforce systems earlier and more effectively, including through dual credit, career and technical education, outcomes-based funding, and better data connections between schools, colleges, and the labor market. Spence argues that Texas does not just have a workforce challenge — it has a marketing challenge. He makes the case that young Texans and their families need clearer, more inspiring language around purpose, careers, and financial independence, and that the state must do a far better job of showing students the real opportunities available to them while they are still in school. The conversation also explores: • Why Texas is outperforming much of the country on enrollment and workforce growth • The “90-60-30” challenge in postsecondary attainment • How dual credit, CTE, and early career exploration can change student outcomes • Why purpose matters just as much as paycheck • How AI is reshaping work and why AI literacy matters for students and workers • The importance of better education-to-workforce data • Why Texas can lead the nation by helping more people “make it in Texas” This is a big-picture conversation about how Texas can turn growth into real opportunity — not just for students entering the workforce, but for workers, families, and communities across the state. 00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series and guest introductions 00:57 — Roy Spence on purpose, partnership, and marketing as a force for good 04:05 — Renzo Soto on why the future of work matters to Texas 2036 05:35 — The “90-60-30” challenge and postsecondary opportunity in Texas 07:18 — Why Texas is bucking national enrollment trends 11:10 — Roy Spence on purpose, talent, and not trying to be average 14:04 — The marketing problem: making Texans aware of career pathways 17:23 — Choice, purpose, and helping young people discover meaningful work 19:59 — Stress points in Texas: credentials, awareness, and workforce shortages 20:46 — Why better data is critical to workforce alignment 25:14 — AI, disruption, and preparing students for a changing economy 30:25 — How to make skilled careers exciting and purposeful 33:23 — What parents want and the case for financial independence 36:41 — Why early exploration and CTE opportunities matter 42:05 — What Texas is doing right on outcomes and accountability 48:49 — Rebranding pathways and measuring how many Texans are “making it” 57:22 — Final thoughts on success, purpose, and the Texas identity Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Texas Talks with Brad Swail is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.

Information

  • Creator
    Texas Talks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Texas Talks

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