Progress Texas Podcasts

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Ep. 87 - Politics And Social Media: Where To From Here? Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

At a moment when Elon Musk appears to be doing all he can to destroy his new $44 billion toy, Facebook is largely DOA, the TikTok kids are interested in anything but politics, and one particular orange gorilla has thrown in once again for the top job - how on Earth are candidates and political orgs to navigate the catastrophic mess that is the current scene of social media? As things ramp up (yes, already) for 2024, are there any viable platforms left for factual, ethically-sound politics? How are we to counter the ever-present and continually-evolving threat of disinformation? Tough questions, whose answers are changing day to day. Thanks for joining the crew on a fascinating but frustrating ride this week, and thanks as always for your support of Progress Texas.

Ep. 86 - Unpacking The Shellacking: What's Next For Texas Democrats? Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

Nationally, and also at the city level in the large metros of Texas, Democrats actually had a better than expected night on Tuesday. But at the statewide level? The same old goose egg. What happened? Is this just an impossible fight? And if not, what have we learned? The crew is joined by Texas Blue Action Democrats President Carrie Collier-Brown for a post-mortem of the '22 midterm election, in which no degree of campaigning or spending appears to have made a dent for Texas Dems - but which also provides some valuable lessons and reason to be confident and determined as we begin - yes - our contemplation of 2024. Thank you as always for your support of Progress Texas!

Ep. 85 - The Top Ten Things We Hate About Governor Greg Abbott Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Here we are folks - as we publish this podcast, there's one day of early voting left (Friday November 4), followed by Election Day on Tuesday November 8. In the spirit of Go Time, we present a carefully constructed, somewhat triggering, and cruelly short list of the top ten reasons YOU should vote AGAINST Governor Greg Abbott.

In no particular order:
1 - Abortion Bans (3:50)
2 - Border Bullshit (10:15)
3 - The Assault On Public Schools (16:45)
4 - Inaction On Gun Violence (23:50)
5 - Attacks On LGBTQ+ Texans (30:10)
6 - The Texas Housing Crisis (36:40)
7 - FIX THE DAMN GRID! (39:35)
8 - The Inhumane Foster Care and Juvenile Justice System (45:10)
9 - Marijuana Is Still Illegal (48:45)
and,
10 - The Colossal, Criminally Cruel COVID Catastrophe (52:30).
That's a lot - and that's not really all. Please VOTE y'all. Thanks as always for your support - and we'll see you all after the election.

Ep. 84 - We React To Texas Political TV Ads Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

As early voting gets underway, we gather to take a tour through some of the prominent TV commercials being leveled in various directions by prominent players including Beto O'Rourke, Mike Collier, Rochelle Garza and yes - Governor Greg Abbott. Plus, a look at a powerful new piece from our heroes at Mothers Against Greg Abbott, and one of a more homegrown strain from TikTok that, we think, may represent the future of visual political advertising. Thanks as always for your support - and GO VOTE TEXAS!

Ep. 83 - The Home Stretch: Mobilizing Voting Communities with Two Million Texans Oct 22, 2022

Show notes

Proud to welcome back Lana Hansen, Executive Director of Texas Blue Action, to provide an update on the ongoing Two Million Texans relational organizing effort aimed at strengthening Democratic performance in what may shake out to be a very challenging mid-term election. Listen to learn about how the Reach app can provide an invaluable tool in your own personal organizing effort! Thanks as always for your support of Progress Texas - and get ready to VOTE!

Ep. 82 - That Texas Republican Candidate Is Probably An Election Denier Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

We celebrate the birthday of resident pumpkin spice latte enthusiast and IPA Truther Brett Isaacs with an overview of the potentially disastrous impact looming with multiple on-record 2020 election deniers occupying GOP slots on 2022 midterm ballots - more of them in Texas than in any other state. Not only is it a despicable, desperate and underhanded tactic, but the undermining of confidence in our electoral system presents a threat to American democracy itself - thus, November wins by Republicans unscrupulous enough to take this treacherous path represent the eroding of our very way of life. You've gotten tired of hearing that "this is the most important election of our lifetime" - but that's never been more true than it is this fall. Thanks for listening, and for your support of Progress Texas.

Ep. 81 - Guest Pod: Why Voting Is So Hard In Texas with Go Behind The Ballot Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

Proud to welcome a guest episode from our friends Nichole Abshire and Claire Campos-O'Neal at the Go Behind The Ballot podcast, which is quite well-timed as the first of several 2022 midterm election deadlines - the registration deadline on October 11 - has now come and gone. You'll recognize our good friend Emily Eby of the Texas Civil Rights Project here, with details on how elections have evolved in Texas, and why it's gotten so damned treacherous and difficult to vote in this state. Thanks as always for your support of Progress Texas!

Ep. 80 - Recapping The Beto/Abbott Debate, Since You Didn't Watch It Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

Gotta hand it to Governor Greg Abbott: insisting on a Friday night debate with no audience is a great way to hide from the Texas electorate. Lucky you, the Progress Texas staff DID watch it - and bring to you this week a recap of five of the primary topics that were covered. Listen as we pick apart immigrant busing (7:19), guns (13:12), abortion (18:20), teachers and education (25:41), and housing and revenue (33:36). Welcome for the first time our new Communications Associate Emily Clark to the pod, and THANK YOU for your support of Progress Texas!

Ep. 79 - Rochelle Garza vs Ken Paxton: 101 Reasons To Vote For A New Attorney General Oct 01, 2022

Show notes

Adding to his laundry list of career lows this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made the news for literally running from a process server attempting to serve him with a subpoena at his North Texas home. The crew convenes this week to closely examine the years and years of outlandish, outlaw behavior that our state's top law enforcement official has (so far) gotten away with, and to also imagine a situation where a true standout legal hero - say, Rochelle Garza - might be able to bring honor back to the AG's office. Thanks for your support of Progress Texas - and don't forget to VOTE!

Ep. 78 - Hispanic Heritage Month Part 2: Latino, Latinx, Latiné? We Discuss Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

In this second part of our discussion of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sam Gonzalez again hosts Diana Gomez, Ed Espinoza and special guest Abel Prado of Cambio Texas in an exploration of the cornucopia of terms that American Hispanics use to describe themselves and each other - frequently leading to confusion, and sometimes conflict. Latino/Latino/Latinx? Chicano? Tejano? Each has a particular meaning, and we're here to shed some light on a subject that needs broader discussion and understanding. Thanks for listening, and for your support of Progress Texas!

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