The Sweet Tea Series

Latest Episodes:

The Hidden Factors Driving Up Housing Costs for Texans Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Why is homeownership becoming increasingly difficult for Texans and what can Texas do to make housing more affordable?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Jose Melendez, campaign director for TPPF’s Taxpayer Protection Project and Government Reform and Oversight Coalition, to discuss the housing affordability crisis facing young families, renters, and essential workers across Texas.

From restrictive zoning and minimum lot sizes to permitting delays and rising property taxes, Jose explains how local government policies can limit housing supply and increase costs. He also breaks down the reforms Texas passed during the 2025 legislative session and the additional solutions lawmakers should consider next session.

Raising Resilient Kids: Nutrition & Brain Development in the Age of Screens Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

What do nutrition, screen time, stress, and everyday childhood experiences do to a developing brain?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo is joined by Dr. Delia McCabe, whose work brings together psychology, nutrition, and neuroscience, to explore how parents can help raise healthy, resilient kids.

Dr. McCabe explains how nutrition supports brain development and neuroplasticity, why movement and play are essential for children, and how excessive screen time can affect the way young brains learn, socialize, and regulate emotions. She also breaks down the role of the prefrontal cortex, why kids need opportunities to experience failure and discomfort, and how parents can help children develop confidence, critical thinking, and resilience.

They also discuss how stress affects the brain, why changing your mind can be so difficult, and how our modern information environment may be shaping the way both children and adults think.

More from Dr. Delia McCabe:
https://lighterbrighteryou.life/

https://deliamccabe.substack.com/

Supplements mentioned in the episode:
https://www.florahealth.com/products/udos-choice-oil-blend-369?variant=40145120690341

https://www.florahealth.com/products/ferritin?variant=40145123377317

Raising Conservative Leaders & Rural Texas Challenges w/ Rep. Helen Kerwin Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

How is rural Texas changing and what does this mean for the future of rural Texas?

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Texas State Representative Helen Kerwin to discuss her journey from small-town flower shop owner to mayor, county commissioner, and now state legislator. They discuss the everchanging landscape of rural Texas due to datacenter development. They also unpack the importance of tourism, the role of water, and the challenges facing rural Texas.

Defending Texas from Islamist Radicalization Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

How are Islamist networks attempting to gain influence in Texas?

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Selene Rodriguez, Campaign Director for TPPF's Defeating Islamist Radicalization campaign, to discuss the growing threat of Islamist radicalization. From foreign funding and campus organizations to the exploitation of legal loopholes, Selene explains how Islamist networks operate across Texas and why defeating them requires a coordinated approach that protects national security, strengthens education, and safeguards families.

Why Is Gen Z Struggling to Find Love? Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Why are young Americans giving up on dating, marriage, and family?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Hannah Bruck, Campaign Director for the Family Success Project at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and host of The Family Front podcast, to discuss the state of marriage, dating, and family formation in America.

From dating apps to declining marriage rates, social isolation, and the growing fear of commitment, Hannah explains why young Americans are struggling to form lasting relationships.

What Happened to Reading? Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Are Americans losing the ability and desire to read?

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Cameron Abrams, Policy Analyst for the Next Generation Texas campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to discuss America’s declining reading habits and what the shift away from literature means for education and culture.

From shrinking attention spans and algorithm-driven content to the decline of the Western canon, Cameron explains how technology has changed the way Americans consume information and why returning to the great books is essential to preserving our shared cultural inheritance.

Should America Abolish Its Schools of Education? Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

After years of failing both students and educators, is it time to change the way we are teaching the teachers?

In this episode, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Kate Bierly, Director of the Next Generation Texas Campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, to discuss her latest research on schools of education and how they've failed both teachers and students.

From grade inflation, declining academic standards, and ideological indoctrination, Kate explains how schools of education have changed over the past century and what Texas can do to prepare better teachers.

Kate Bierly's research on Education Schools: https://www.texaspolicy.com/education-schools-low-standards-high-indoctrination-zero-results/

She Survived a Healthcare Nightmare. Now She's Fighting to Fix It. Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

How did Brooke go from numerous procedures and thyroid cancer to fighting for transparency and accountability for Texans on the policy side of healthcare?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with TPPF's Brooke Garner, Policy Scholar of the Healthy Texas Initiative, to discuss her personal journey through America's healthcare system and why she's now working to reform it.

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at just 14 years old and later thyroid cancer at age 20, Brooke shares how insurance barriers delayed treatment, increased medical costs, and ultimately shaped her passion for healthcare policy. Together, they discuss the difference between healthcare and health coverage, why healthcare transparency and accountability matter, and the reforms Texas is pursuing to put patients back at the forefront of their health coverage.

These Local Government Overreach Cases Sound Fake… Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Can the city really fine $915,000 for cutting down trees on your own property?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Laura Beth Latimer, attorney with the Center for the American Future (CAF), to discuss how local governments across America are increasingly overstepping their authority and what citizens can do to fight back.

They dive into various cases from a California couple fined $915,000 for removing dead trees from their property to cities restricting religious gatherings in private homes and even banning people from feeding the homeless. Laura Beth explains why local government matters more than most Americans realize—and why protecting constitutional rights often starts at city hall.

Topics covered include:
-Local governments
-California couple facing a $915,000 fine over backyard trees
-Zoning laws can threaten religious liberty
-The growing problem of government overreach at the local level
-The Center for the American Future

#PropertyRights #Constitution #LocalGovernment #Freedom #Texas #constitutionalrights

The Center for the American Future: https://www.texaspolicy.com/initiatives/center-for-the-american-future

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation by educating and affecting policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach.

Funded by thousands of individuals, foundations, and corporations, the Foundation does not accept government funds or contributions to influence the outcomes of its research.

The public is demanding a different direction for their government, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation is providing the ideas that enable policymakers to chart that new course.

Website: https://texaspolicy.com
X: https://twitter.com/tppf
Facebook: https://facebook.com/texaspolicy
Instagram: https://instagram.com/texaspolicy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/texas-public-policy-foundation/

The Financial Literacy Lessons Every Young American Needs to Hear | The Sweet Tea Series Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

How can young Americans start using financial literacy today to set themselves up for financial success later in life?

In this episode of The Sweet Tea Series, Ariana Guajardo sits down with Ashley B. Cash, education advocate, business owner, and host of The Ashley B. Cash Show, to discuss why financial literacy may be one of the most important life skills missing from today's education system.

From budgeting and investing to homeownership, and retirement Ashley explains why financial literacy is essential for every student and how Texas is working to make it a graduation requirement.

Topics covered include:
-Why financial literacy should be taught in every high school
-The biggest money mistakes young adults make
-Budgeting, saving, and investing for beginners
-How compound interest can change your financial future
-Why delaying gratification builds long-term wealth
-The difference between good debt and bad debt
-Building multiple streams of income
-How parents can prepare their children for financial success

#FinancialLiteracy #PersonalFinance #Investing #Texas #Budgeting #FinancialFreedom

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