Seeing Red: A Texas Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

God, Guns, and the GOP: How Faith and Power Collide in Texas (A conversation with Robert Downen) Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Garrett Fulce talks with Texas Monthly reporter Robert Downen about covering the intersection of faith and politics in Texas. The conversation ranges from Downen’s early work exposing abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention to the current tensions inside the Texas GOP between establishment figures and grassroots activists. They discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, how extremism seeps into policymaking, and what it means to report truthfully in a hyper-polarized environment. Downen also reflects on journalism’s future in the digital era and the ethical tightrope reporters walk when sources see coverage itself as a badge of honor.

0:00 – “Rewarding tantrums”: Garrett’s opening monologue
1:55 – Downen’s path from evangelical roots to journalism
3:18 – From Houston Chronicle to Texas Monthly — how reporting evolved
12:27 – Digital algorithms and the decline of local news
14:28 – Covering politicians and faith leaders who see media as the enemy
23:00 – Inside power struggles and grassroots extremism in Texas GOP
32:57 – Media credibility and public mistrust
34:41 – Online radicalization and political violence
45:12 – How right-wing extremism reshapes policy debate
54:19 – Religion in Texas primaries and future trends
1:08:12 – Closing thoughts on journalism’s role in a fractured state

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

One Vote, One Citizen: The Fight for Proposition 16 in Texas Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Seeing Red, Garrett Fulce sits down with Charlie Kolean, Texas State Director for Americans for Citizen Voting, to discuss Proposition 16, a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee only U.S. citizens can vote in all Texas elections. Kolean breaks down how this measure came to be, why it took three legislative sessions to reach the ballot, and what it means for Texas and the broader national movement toward citizen-only voting.

Together, Garrett and Charlie unpack the legislative mechanics, opposition talking points, and what Kolean calls “a common-sense safeguard” against the kind of local voting expansions seen in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. The discussion also digs into bipartisan coalition-building, misconceptions around voter eligibility, and the strategic effort to pass similar amendments in states like Michigan and Ohio.

This episode offers both a civics lesson and a deep dive into how Texas policy ripples across the nation.

0:00 – “One Vote, One Citizen”: What Proposition 16 Means

2:35 – Why Non-Citizen Voting Has Become a National Issue

6:31 – Legislative Process and Bipartisan Negotiations

10:12 – The Argument for Amending the Texas Constitution

13:46 – Opposition Talking Points and Public Opinion

17:30 – Comparing Texas to San Francisco and New York

22:29 – Inside the Texas Capitol: Getting Prop 16 to the Ballot

28:13 – How Bipartisanship Shaped the Final Amendment

31:34 – Voter Turnout Challenges and Off-Year Elections

39:27 – What Other States Are Doing (and Why Texas Leads)

47:52 – Future of the Movement: Michigan and Beyond

53:00 – What Prop 16 Means for Election Integrity in Texas

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

Inside the Tabloid of Record for Texas Politics Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Tony Ortiz, the controversial founder of Current Revolt, joins Garrett Fulce to pull back the curtain on how Texas political media really works. From breaking Capitol scandals to exposing paid influencers, Ortiz has built a reputation for publishing stories mainstream outlets won’t touch — and for being unapologetically honest about his biases.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ortiz explains how Current Revolt began during the COVID lockdowns, why he leaned into the “trash gossip rag” label, and what it’s like to run a far-right outlet while maintaining credibility across political lines. He and Garrett dive deep into the ethics of independent journalism and how the rise of paid political content is reshaping conservative media.

The episode also explores Ortiz’s growing disillusionment with Texas politics, his take on how influencers manipulate narratives for profit, and the challenges of balancing advocacy with accuracy. Whether you love him or hate him, Tony Ortiz represents a new era in political reporting — unfiltered, unconventional, and deeply Texan.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Tony Ortiz and the rise of Current Revolt
4:11 – The role of independent journalism in Texas politics
6:36 – The risks of getting stories wrong and why editors matter
10:03 – From “rhino hunting” to reporting across the spectrum
12:41 – Far-right factions, Fuentes, and the Pale Horse fallout
16:23 – Comparing Nick Fuentes and Charlie Kirk’s influence
19:25 – Paid political influencers and foreign funding
22:54 – How astroturfing and “influencer” PR reshape narratives
24:26 – Building Current Revolt’s audience organically
25:49 – Absurd Texas stories that went viral (like “Grub-Gate”)
28:55 – Immigration, jobs, and the H-1B visa debate
30:12 – Shared economic anxieties between left and right
32:41 – Mental health, religion, and cultural disillusionment
36:24 – Balancing bias, honesty, and accountability in reporting
42:15 – The cost of controversial journalism in Texas
46:59 – Faith, hypocrisy, and the Christian right
51:14 – Tony’s disillusionment with organized religion
58:16 – Expanding Current Revolt and Texas political coverage
1:01:00 – Closing thoughts and what’s next on Seeing Red

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

Can John Huffman Finally Kill Property Taxes? Inside the Biggest Texas Election This November Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Watch the full conversation on Substack: https://seeingredpodcast.substack.com

📌 Summary:
Former Southlake Mayor John Huffman joins Garrett Fulce to talk about his campaign for Texas Senate District 9. From property tax reform to school choice, border security, and infrastructure, Huffman shares his vision for Texas—and how faith and family ground his approach to politics.

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – John Huffman’s Political Journey and Senate Candidacy
3:53 – From College Station to Capitol Hill
6:16 – Entrepreneur to Mayor: Small Business & Public Service
12:52 – Why Kill the Property Tax System?
18:03 – School Choice & Funding Texas Schools
28:02 – School Safety & SRO Programs
30:40 – Border Security & Immigration Policies
34:36 – Faith and Public Service
40:27 – Family Life & Campaigning
54:12 – Texas Infrastructure Challenges
58:32 – John Huffman’s Vision for SD9

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

Behind the Easel Pad: Mitch Little Unfiltered Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

🔴 Watch more at our Substack: https://seeingredpodcast.substack.com
Timestamps:
0:00 – Texas Politics and Twitter Spats with Mitch Little
3:43 – Navigating Politics and Legal Expertise
10:32 – Challenges and Delays in the Legislative Session
15:34 – HB4623: Ending School Immunity in Sexual Abuse Cases
22:10 – Legislative Amendments & Procedural Battles
26:38 – School Choice Showdown
32:30 – Using TLO to Track Bills
36:40 – Greed, Bots & Campaign Pressure
40:50 – The Absurdity of Local Campaigns
48:20 – Rookie Lawmakers Outmaneuvered
54:19 – Strategy & Tactics in Session
59:11 – Replacing Briscoe’s Procedural Expertise
1:01:36 – Speaker Burroughs & House Politics
1:08:29 – Gary Frankel on A&M’s Culture War
1:12:46 – Academic Freedom & Social Media Backlash
1:16:57 – Clout Chasing at Texas A&M
1:21:49 – Brian Harrison’s Ineffectiveness
1:23:13 – Reform vs. Destruction in Culture Wars
1:26:59 – Football, Alumni, and University Politics
👉 Full uncut episodes & secret segments only on Substack. Paid subs get early access.
https://seeingredpodcast.substack.com

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

Texas After Roe: The New Frontlines of the Abortion Fight Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Watch the full, extended interview on Substack: https://seeingredpodcast.substack.com/
Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome back & podcast update
6:54 – Controversy over Texas bill targeting illegal abortion pills (HB7)
12:45 – Pro-life legislation and court challenges in Texas
20:00 – Texas abortion laws after Roe v. Wade was overturned
24:52 – How abortion politics affect elections
28:16 – Pro-life advocacy and resources for women in Texas
(In the Extended cut)
38:07 – Coalition-building and legislative challenges
42:43 – Out-of-state abortion pill distribution & enforcement
45:39 – Why Texas laws face enforcement problems
51:14 – The legislative journey of the pro-life movement in Texas
58:10 – Winning over the undecided middle on abortion
1:03:50 – The debate over criminalizing abortion & societal impacts
1:10:09 – Closing thoughts with Dr. Joe Pojman
Episode Summary
Dr. Joe Pojman, founder of Texas Alliance for Life, joins host Garrett Fulce to discuss the evolution of the pro-life movement in Texas. They dive into recent legislative battles like HB7, the challenges of stopping abortion pill trafficking, and how pro-life advocates navigate court fights, coalition politics, and shifting public opinion. Pojman shares insights from his 37 years of activism, reflecting on landmark victories, the importance of compassionate alternatives for women, and what it will take to sustain Texas’ pro-life laws in the post-Dobbs era.
Connect with Dr. Joe Pojman
X (Twitter): https://x.com/JoePojman
Connect with Seeing Red
🌐 Website: https://seeingredpodcast.com
📢 X: https://x.com/TheSeeingRedPod
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheSeeingRedPod
Connect with Garrett Fulce
X: https://x.com/GWFulce

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

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