Could hormone changes be mistaken for depression in women? Host @BradSwail sits down with @KatrinaPierson to discuss progesterone, women’s hormone cycles and how hormonal changes can affect symptoms that may be attributed to depression.

Could hormone changes be mistaken for depression in women? Host @BradSwail sits down with @KatrinaPierson to discuss progesterone, women’s hormone cycles and how hormonal changes can affect symptoms that may be attributed to depression.

Is insurance dictating how doctors practice medicine? Host @BradSwail sits down with @KatrinaPierson to discuss how insurance requirements can influence medical decisions, limit treatment options and affect the doctor-patient relationship.

How do 30 percent of patients end up paying for an entire hospital? Host @BradSwail sits down with Allen Harrison to discuss hospital costs, how patients contribute to the health care system and the financial pressures shaping health care.

Should schools really be treated like health clinics? Host @BradSwail sits down with Chris Bryan to discuss the role of schools in health care and why schools may not be the right place to provide certain medical services.

Texas State Representative @CarlTepper joins @bradswail on Texas Talks to discuss some of the major issues being examined by the House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight. Tepper discusses the committee’s examination of district attorneys and criminal prosecution, including the scrutiny surrounding the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and possible approaches lawmakers could consider during the 90th Texas Legislature. The conversation then turns west to a highly unusual question: Could counties currently in New Mexico eventually become part of Texas? Tepper discusses interest from communities along the Texas-New Mexico border, the economic and cultural ties between those counties and West Texas, and what would have to happen for a boundary change to move forward. Finally, Tepper and Brad discuss oversight of taxpayer-funded contracts, nonprofits and local government programs, including questions surrounding homelessness spending in Austin and how governments should respond when publicly funded programs fail to meet their goals.

In Part 1 of a special two-part Texas Talks series recorded live at the Texas Hospital Association Annual Conference in Fort Worth, host @bradswail sits down with Allen Harrison, President of Medical City Healthcare, @HCAhealthcare North Texas Division, and Chair-Elect of the @texashospitals Association Board of Trustees. Harrison shares the personal story that led him to a career in healthcare before turning to the financial pressures facing Texas hospitals and the growing debate over healthcare affordability. The conversation examines Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, uninsured patients, the role of commercial insurance, hospital pricing and the growing financial burden placed directly on patients. Harrison also discusses what Texas hospitals are watching ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature and why protecting existing Medicaid funding is a major priority. Brad and Harrison also explore Texas’ healthcare workforce, including improvements in the nursing shortage, continued demand for specialized healthcare workers and how the patient experience can be complicated by an increasingly difficult-to-understand billing system. This is Part 1 of our two-part Texas Hospital Association special. Part 2 continues tomorrow with another conversation from the THA Annual Conference.

In Part 2 of our special Texas Talks series recorded live at the @texashospitals Association Annual Conference in Fort Worth, host @bradswail sits down with Chris Bryan, Vice President of Clarity Child Guidance Center in San Antonio, to examine the state of children’s mental healthcare in Texas. Bryan shares the personal experience that led her from a career in technology to becoming an advocate for children’s mental health and explains how technology and social media have changed the environment in which children grow up. The conversation explores gaps in the mental health system, including the lack of a consistent continuum of care, difficulties sharing health information, insurance and reimbursement challenges, workforce shortages and the difference between having mental health coverage and actually being able to access treatment. Bryan also reflects on nearly two decades of advocacy at the Texas Capitol, how the conversation surrounding children’s mental health has changed and what she hopes lawmakers will address during the 90th Texas Legislature.

How should Texas prepare its colleges, workforce, tax system, and infrastructure for the state's continued growth? On Episode 126 of Texas Talks, host @bradswail sits down with State Rep. @VinceMPerez, who represents House District 77 in El Paso, to discuss some of the major policy questions facing Texas ahead of the next legislative session. Perez describes his district at the center of the El Paso–Ciudad Juárez region and explains how its location along the U.S.-Mexico border shapes its economy and workforce. A major focus is higher education. Perez discusses recent interim hearings, Texas' performance-based community college funding system, funding shortfalls facing those institutions, workforce development, and how artificial intelligence could transform the jobs awaiting today's college students.

Pilot. Flight paramedic. Firefighter. State Representative. Rep. @andoconmando39 (HD 39) joins @bradswail with Texas Talks to break down why Texas general aviation airports are more important than most people realize — and what the new House Select Committee on General Aviation is trying to fix.

What would it take for Texas to become the national leader in health, wellness, and regenerative medicine? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Jack Collier, co-founder and CEO of Optimized Health and Performance, a nationwide telehealth clinic based in the Austin area. Collier explains how his own experience with hormone testing led him into the health and wellness industry and why he believes patients need more information and control over their healthcare decisions. Collier argues that Texas has an opportunity to become a national center for emerging healthcare research and innovation while improving health education and giving patients greater choice in how they manage their health.

What will higher education look like in an age of artificial intelligence, and how can Texas universities make sure their degrees continue to deliver value? On this episode of Texas Talks, host @bradswail sits down with @CreightonForTX, Chancellor of the University System and former Texas state senator and representative, to discuss higher education reform, artificial intelligence, and his vision for @TexasTech future. Creighton reflects on his transition from writing higher education policy in the Texas Legislature to implementing it as chancellor, including Texas Tech’s review of roughly 14,000 courses under Senate Bill 37. He discusses curriculum reform, degrees of value, workforce needs, and how universities must adapt as AI rapidly changes both education and the private sector. The conversation also explores Texas Tech’s work with NVIDIA, its plans for advanced AI computing infrastructure, and the potential applications for healthcare research, energy, national security, and other major challenges facing Texas.

What major challenges could shape Texas in the years ahead? Texas faces a number of long-term policy decisions that will influence the state's future. This discussion explores the issues driving the conversation, the potential impacts on Texans, and what policymakers may need to address in the years to come. #TexasPolitics #PublicPolicy #TexasFuture

How can Texas improve healthcare access, strengthen public education, and prepare its workforce while balancing competing budget priorities? On this episode of @TXTalksPodcast, host @bradswailwelcomes State Representative @DonnaHowardTX, who represents House District 48, for a wide-ranging conversation on healthcare, higher education, workforce development, public school funding, and the state's fiscal outlook. As Vice Chair of both the House Higher Education Committee and Article II Appropriations, Howard offers insight into some of the biggest policy debates facing Texas ahead of the next legislative session. The discussion explores the challenges of funding public education, improving rural healthcare access, expanding workforce training through community colleges, and addressing shortages of nurses and healthcare providers. Howard also discusses property tax relief, the Sunset Commission's ongoing review of health agencies, dementia research, and how lawmakers are preparing for the state's next budget cycle.

Texas Talks host @bradswail sits down with State Representative @GatesforTexas, Chairman of the House Land and Resource Management Committee and longtime Fort Bend County representative. As one of the Legislature’s leading voices on housing policy, Chairman Gates breaks down the interim hearings focused on restoring affordability across Texas. The conversation covers the real-world impact of recent bills, aggressive local pushback from cities, and bold solutions to cut red tape and deliver more attainable housing.

Is Texas investing in public education the way lawmakers say it is? In this @TXTalksPodcast segment, host @bradswail and State Senator @SarahEckhardtTX examine why many school districts—including Austin ISD—continue to face significant budget deficits despite increased state education spending. They also discuss Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), new data on who is benefiting from the program, and the ongoing debate over school choice in Texas.

The Municipal Utility Districts hearing discussed in this episode is before the House Committee on Land & Resource Management, chaired by Rep. Gary Gates - not the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. What are the biggest public policy debates unfolding in Texas today? In this solo episode of the @TXTalksPodcast, host @bradswail examines three major issues likely to shape the next legislative session: housing affordability, municipal utility districts (MUDs), and the ongoing debate over consumable THC products. Drawing on recent legislative hearings and policy developments, Brad explains what's happening, why it matters, and what Texans should watch as lawmakers prepare for 2027.

On the @TXTalksPodcast, host @bradswail sat down with State Senator @SarahEckhardtTX to discuss why key flood resilience reforms have yet to be implemented a year after the devastating Central Texas floods. Their conversation explores the balance between protecting property owners, improving emergency response, and building more resilient communities across Texas.

Host @bradswail sat down with Mark Bell, President and CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas @aectnet, on the @TXTalksPodcast to examine the unprecedented surge in electricity demand facing Texas. They discussed ERCOT's long-term projections, the massive 410-gigawatt interconnection queue—driven largely by data center development—and whether those forecasts reflect future reality.

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