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Neighbors in the NetworkHow the Free Market Helps Us Find Fulfillment — A Conversation with Garrett BallengeeWelcome to another enlightening episode of 'Neighbors in the Network.' In this episode, our host, James Pinedo, sits down with a remarkable guest, Garrett Ballengee, who serves as the Executive Director of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Join us as we delve into Garrett's journey to becoming an executive director, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and the challenges and fulfillment he has found along the way.2025-02-1244 min
Forgotten AmericaEp. 090: Waterfolk & the Shaping of AmericaJohn Hood is back on the Forgotten America podcast to discuss his latest installment in the Folklore Cycle! Waterfolk takes on the formative period of American history between the 1830s and the 1850s. He shares with Garrett some of the unbelievable historical events and relationships that inspired scenes in his story. He also dives into some of the popular and lesser-known folktales and cryptids that appear throughout the novel. John and Garrett discuss the role restraints play in unleashing creativity, and we even get a sneak peek into the fourth adventure in the Folklore Cycle. Additional Resources2025-01-1447 minForgotten AmericaEp. 088: Fishing, Zydeco, Jambalaya, and the Pelican StateClayton Rasche is a first-generation Louisianan who adores his home state. He joins Garrett on this episode of the Forgotten America podcast to share about the incredibly rich culture of Louisiana. The Pelican State has deep French roots which can be seen in everything from the architecture to the political system to the food. We learn a little bit about the differences between Cajun and Creole culture and about the variety of small and large cities to explore. If you enjoy music, soulful food, and nature, you’ll love this exploration of Louisiana through Clayton’s eyes. 2024-12-0349 minForgotten AmericaEp. 087: Our Liberties We Prize: Life in the Hawkeye StateChris Ingstad is the President of Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation and an 8th generation Iowan. He joins the Forgotten America podcast to discuss life in Iowa. Chris explains why he hasn’t seriously considered leaving the state despite its harsh winters, and he talks about the food, culture, economy, and heritage of the Hawkeye state. Additional Resources Follow Chris’s work at Iowans for Taxpayer Relief Foundation: https://itrfoundation.org/staff/ Grant Wood and American Gothic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Wood University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop: https://writer...2024-11-1949 minForgotten AmericaEp. 086: Top Horror Films Set in Rural AmericaFor this Halloween Special, Lyndsey Quinlan, Digital Marketing Associate for the Cardinal Institute, and Jessica Dobrinsky, Staff Writer for the Cardinal Institute, join Garrett Ballengee to discuss horror films set in rural locations. They share their favorites and explore themes of folklore, rural horror, and hicksploitation. They also take a deep dive into what makes a good horror film and look at literary themes, the power of music and lighting in film, human psychology analyzed through film, and some history behind scary movie genres. If you enjoy horror films, and even if you don’t, you’ll enjoy this rive...2024-11-022h 15Forgotten AmericaEp. 085: Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Part 2Emma Ayers, a native of East Tennessee and Religion & Culture Writer with the Washington Times, joins us today for the second half of our discussion of Hurricane Helene disaster recovery. She shares her perspective on the culture, economy, and people of East Tennessee and how they are responding to the unprecedented natural disaster of Hurricane Helene. She also shares a little about mule trains and other non-traditional ways that Appalachians are helping each other in their time of need. Additional Resources: East Tennessee Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/10/10/east-tennessee-flooding-rescues-resources-hurricane-helene-relief/75608482007/2024-10-2934 minForgotten AmericaEp. 084: Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Part 1(We had some unusual technical difficulties when recording this episode. So please forgive any choppiness that may result – we did what we could to edit it as smoothly as possible.) Brooke Medina, Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation, joins Garrett Ballengee to discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina and how these Appalachian communities are responding to this unprecedented disaster. Additional Resources: John Locke Foundation: https://www.johnlocke.org/about/team/brooke-medina/ Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-helene/ Baptists on Miss...2024-10-2233 minForgotten AmericaIs Values-Based Education Still Relevant Today?Dr. Barker is the President of Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina and joins us today to talk about current challenges in higher education and the importance of an education that teaches values and not just skills. Fun Fact: his home state is West Virginia, so Garrett kicks off this discussion by asking Dr. Barker about his hometown of Clarksburg. Dr. Barker shares stories about the Italian heritage of West Virginia, his time as a military chaplain, and how he came to work in higher education. If you care about the future of post-secondary education and wonder how we...2024-09-091h 05Forgotten AmericaEp. 081: What Makes An Appalachian?J.D. Vance’s selection as President Trump’s Vice-Presidential running mate has kicked up a renewed firestorm around Vance’s Appalachian bona fides and his book Hillbilly Elegy. Is he legitimately Appalachian? What does it even mean to be Appalachian? In this episode of Forgotten America, Garrett is joined by Anthony Hennen, journalist and fellow Appalachian, to discuss this Vice-Presidential pick and what it might mean for the region. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s Commentary on J.D. Vance https://x.com/douglaswburns/status/1817976888695951677 https://x.com/SeanPEngland/status/181...2024-08-141h 18Forgotten AmericaEp. 080: Have Men Been Forgotten?Daniel Corcoran joins Forgotten America to discuss men’s issues and why he feels our modern culture is leaving men behind. Statistics across a variety of sectors show that men are struggling with mental health, criminality, friendship, overall well-being, purposelessness, and society’s perception of men. Dan & Garrett discuss these issues, how they affect men, and ways we can improve the lives of boys and men. Keep up with Dan’s work: Overcoming the Divide – YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@overcomingthedivide Men of Tomorrow – podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men...2024-07-301h 01Forgotten AmericaEp. 079: What is a Hoosier?: Two Perspectives on IndianaTwo Hoosiers join the Forgotten America podcast to discuss the differences between two very different regions of Indiana. Sarah Milligan, Assistant Director of Community Engagement for the Institute for Quality Education, and Cesar Roman, Director of Community Engagement, share about life in Hardinsburg, IN and East Chicago, IN — one a rural, southern community and the other a bustling metropolitan satellite of Illinois. It’s clear that despite very different experiences they both love their state. Join us as we learn about the history of Indiana, the variety of cultures represented, and the work Sarah & Cesar are doing to improve acce...2024-07-1655 minForgotten AmericaEp. 078: A McCoy AbroadJacob McCoy (Jake) is from Man, West Virginia in Logan County and a Contributor to the Cardinal’s Nest Blog. He currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, son, and daughter. Jacob recently took a month-long trip to Ireland with his family. He and Garrett compare notes about their respective European travels and reflect on their homes in two different parts of West Virginia, changing accents, family history, societal trust, the migrant crisis in Ireland, and more. Man WV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man,_West_Virginia Athlone, Ireland https://en.wikipedia.org...2024-07-021h 02Forgotten AmericaEp. 077: John Rankin: The Forgotten Founding Father of the American Abolition MovementOriginally from Ripley, Ohio and currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky, Caleb Franz is the Program Manager for Young Voices and the author of The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism’s Essential Founding Father. Caleb grew up in the town where John Rankin eventually died and was surrounded by stories of his role in history. He is now writing the authoritative biography on this forgotten founding father of the American abolition movement. He joins Garrett on the Forgotten America podcast to make sure we all remember this previously Forgotten American Hero. Caleb Franz’s book, The...2024-06-181h 04Forgotten AmericaEp. 076: The Literary Life & Classical EducationWhat do the French Horn, Led Zepplin, and C.S. Lewis have in common? They are all part of the Great Conversation. Dr. Junius Johnson joins the Forgotten America podcast to discuss classical education and the literary life. Dr. Johnson grew up in Louisville, KY, and shares his story of discovering the Western Canon, classical music, and Latin. This episode is a great introduction to the classical education movement taking the country by storm. If you’d like to see a little more truth, goodness, and beauty reflected in the world around you, you’ll want to listen to this...2024-06-041h 17
Education Matters With MySchoolOptionsBuilding the 'West Virginia Miracle' through Education Freedom Challenges and Growing Pains of ESA ProgramsGarrett Ballengee from the Cardinal Institute discusses education reform and school choice in West Virginia. The state has a high poverty rate and a struggling education system. The Cardinal Institute aims to build the 'West Virginia miracle' through four pillars: education freedom, economic freedom, workforce freedom, and a culture of freedom. They have been successful in passing comprehensive school choice programs, including public charter school laws and the expansive HOPE Scholarship ESA program. The ESA program has had a positive impact on parents and students, with increased enrollment in private schools and the ability to customize education experiences. The...2024-05-241h 03Forgotten AmericaEp. 075: Reflections on Europe, Forgotten America, and the Need for a Hall of HeroesIn this special solo episode, Garrett takes some time to reflect on recent conversations with guests of the Forgotten America podcast and his Spring vacation to Scotland & Ireland. The last few months of guests and travel have driven home the need for West Virginia to have a Hall of Heroes to celebrate its people and its past. This episode is a great reminder of the importance of loving the place you’re from and sharing your passion for it with others. Special Mentions: Edinburgh, Scottland https://edinburgh.org/ Similarities between Scottland and Appalachia ht...2024-05-2133 minForgotten AmericaEp. 074: Out of the Paw Paw Patch and into the MountainsTiffany Hoben is the Director of Education Partnerships & Strategy for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. She joins the Forgotten America Podcast to share her motivations for moving from the Sunshine State to the Mountain State, her passion for civics education, and her belief in the importance of feeling rooted in a local community. The Outpost: https://outpostnrg.com/ Florida Civics Standards: https://www.fldoe.org/civicliteracy/ Comments from the Civics Alliance on the 2024 Proposed West Virginia Social Studies Standards: https://civicsalliance.org/letter-comment-on-west-virginia-social-studies-standards/ New River Gorge: https://www.nps...2024-05-0752 minForgotten AmericaEp. 073: Homer Hickam: From McDowell County to Rocket BoyHomer Hickam is a true West Virginia hero. Raised in Coalwood, a mining town in southern West Virginia, he went on to fight in the Vietnam War, work for NASA, and become a best-selling author. His book, Rocket Boys, was made into the popular movie October Sky. In this episode, he shares with Garrett stories from his life that reveal how his upbringing in West Virginia contributed to his success. Homer tells about the inspiration behind his books, expresses his love for the Appalachian mountains, and gives his thoughts about education, the importance of community, and so...2024-04-231h 01Forgotten AmericaEp. 072: Hitchhiker’s Guide to Rural AmericaThis episode of Forgotten America opens with a brief walk down memory lane. Garrett shares how he first met Dr. Thompson at his Moral Foundations of Capitalism seminar at Clemson University. Dr. Thompson’s lecture was a catalyst moment for Garrett that led him down a career path that brought him home to run the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, a free market think tank. Dr. Bradley Thompson was born in Canada, but he considered himself an American born in the wrong country from a young age. He tells the story of how hitchhiking through the Un...2024-04-091h 08
Overcoming the Divide: Nonpartisan PoliticsRevitalizing West Virginia: Opioid Crisis, Economic Challenges & Social Divides w/ Garrett BallengeeDive into the rural heartland of West Virginia, where the welfare system intersects with the urban-rural divide, shaping the landscape of opportunity and challenge. Join Garrett Ballengee from the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Public Policy as we delve into the state's struggle against the opioid epidemic, demographic shifts, and economic barriers, revealing the potential for a "West Virginia miracle." Explore how public policy and intellectual investment can catalyze revitalization, emphasizing education, economic development, and workforce initiatives.Unravel the paradoxical obstacles created by the welfare system, trapping individuals in a cycle of dependency. Discover the transformative work...2024-04-0954 min
Overcoming the Divide: Nonpartisan PoliticsShattering ‘White Rural Rage’ w/ West Virginian Garrett BallengeeCultural and media elites are it again with the book 'White Rural Rage'. Garrett Ballengee, President and CEO of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Public Policy joins me to dissect this issue. From the coal mines to the hills, Garrett shares personal accounts and historic wisdom that reveal the multi-layered reality of rural life, one that defies the media's narrow portrayal of racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. In this episode, we shatter the notion of 'White Rural Rage' as we delve into Garrett's experiences and insights, showcasing the resilience and inclusivity that characterize many rural communities. Together, we peel...2024-04-0213 minForgotten AmericaEp. 070: Do The Best You Can With What You’ve Got: An Agricultural Ethic for Life Jerry Apps is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the author of more than 35 books. He is a storyteller and historian, joining the Forgotten America podcast to share about his life growing up on a dairy farm in rural, central Wisconsin. Born during the Great Depression, his youth inspired much of his subsequent work and his love for rural America. He joins Garrett to discuss his upcoming book, Farms & Rural Communities: An Agricultural Ethic for the Future. If you’ve ever enjoyed listening to a beloved grandparent tell stories of their childhood, you’ll particularly enjoy this episode whic...2024-03-1253 minForgotten AmericaEp. 069: Pulling Appalachia Back from the Precipice Nick Deiuliis is a chemical engineer, attorney, and business executive. During a career spanning 30 years, he served as the CEO or Chairman of the Board of five public energy companies. During that time, Nick has been on the front lines of the war being waged by elites against working men and women of Appalachia, the “doers” of the American economy, and the free-thinking individual. Nick is a lifelong Pittsburgher and considers himself a proud capitalist and free enterprise advocate. He joins Garrett today to discuss the city of Pittsburgh and its place among Appalachian cities, the energy industry’s role in societ...2024-02-2756 minForgotten AmericaEp. 068: Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New - The Supply Side of School Choice Elyse Marcellino is the Director of Embark in Mississippi. Embark is a new schools accelerator that works with school founders to help them move from idea to doors open. They guide school founders through early planning and preparing to launch so they can successfully open new schools to serve students throughout the state. Elyse and Garrett start this episode by celebrating what West Virginia and Mississippi have in common and commiserating as residents of states that are often ridiculed by coastal elites. Elyse shares about her experience with several types of education environments growing up which inspired her to make a...2024-02-1356 minForgotten AmericaEp. 067: Can Junior Colleges Save the Future of American Higher Education? Fred Fransen is the President of Huntington Junior College and Co-Founder of Certell, Inc. He also previously served as Executive Director at the Center for Excellence in Higher Education and as Senior Fellow for Liberty Fund. He has been working to make breakthroughs in how to improve education at both the K-12 and higher education levels. Garrett & Fred talk about the role of junior colleges in the reformation of education in the United States, particularly about the changes Fred is making at Huntington Junior College to incorporate civics and Great Books education into the college’s programs. Fred shares about the...2024-01-3059 min
Forgotten AmericaEp. 066: Gratitude - A Light in Dark TimesJoin us for a Thanksgiving-themed episode before we pause for the holidays! On Thanksgiving Eve, Garrett recorded another solo episode. He shared ten things he is grateful for this Thanksgiving. He observes how the practice of gratitude can break up the monotony of life and cut through the polarization of our day. For Garrett, remembering the good things in his life has helped him get through dark times. Gratitude is a catalyst for both joy and togetherness when both might otherwise be absent. Also, to give our team a break during this holiday season, we...2023-11-2831 min
Forgotten AmericaEp. 065: The Role of the Rural College Monica Moses is a policy fellow for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy and a PhD candidate at West Virginia University. She joins Garrett today to discuss the role colleges and universities play in rural communities. She discusses how growing up in a small town near St. Bonaventure University influenced her interest in researching the role universities and colleges play in rural areas. Garrett & Monica explore the symbiotic relationship that these higher education institutions have with the communities around them and how they can help prevent brain drain. Learn more about Monica’s work and follow her on Twitter @Moni...2023-11-141h 00Forgotten AmericaHorror Stories, Faith, and Scary Encounters in Appalachia Ashley Stinnett is the Communications Coordinator for Coalfield Development, he’s a co-founder of the Film Futures Foundation, a former republican candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates, an actor, and an author. He was born and grew up in Lavalette, West Virginia and currently resides in Wayne County. Today he joins Garrett to talk about Halloween, the horror genre, and his book Haunted Tales From Appalachia: Ghosts, Spirits and Other Strange Happenings from the Hills and Hollows. Many of the stories in Ashley’s book are inspired by real events. In this episode, he shares some of the family...2023-10-3154 minForgotten AmericaEp. 063: Standing in the Gap for Kids Kim Dully has a Master’s degree in School Counseling, she is a Grassroots Coordinator with Love Your School-WV, and a co-host of the We Have Hope podcast. She has years of experience working with families and kids, particularly with recruiting and teaching foster parents in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. On today’s episode of Forgotten America, Kim shares her experience with the foster care system as a child whose siblings were in foster care in Pennsylvania and as an adult who has worked to recruit foster families in West Virginia. Her story helps to highlight the beauty that...2023-10-171h 14Forgotten AmericaEp. 061: Health Care in Rural America - A Perspective from Georgia Jessi Troyan, Director of Policy & Research for the Cardinal Institute, takes over the Forgotten America podcast as guest host. She interviews Chris Denson, Director of Policy & Research at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, about health care in rural America, particularly focusing on his experiences with the healthcare system in Georgia. Prior to his time at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Chris served as Director of Outreach at HCA Memorial Health in Savannah, a 612-bed Level 1 trauma center serving a 32-county region in Southeast Georgia and South Carolina and as the Director of Advisory Services for Hometown Health, a multi-state rural hos...2023-09-1958 minForgotten AmericaEp. 060: Do Political Candidates Care About Rural America? Anthony Hennen covers Pennsylvania as a reporter for the Center Square and is the Managing Editor of Expatalachians. He also was recently named a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow with the Fund for American Studies. He joins Garrett today to discuss Presidential election season and how candidates are addressing rural American issues. Find Anthony online at: Center Square: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/ Expatalachians: http://expatalachians.com/ Anthony’s previous Forgotten America Episode: https://forgottenamerica.libsyn.com/ep-006-expatalachians Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Communications Director - 2023-09-051h 00Forgotten AmericaNew York State of Mind When you hear the words “New York,” what do you think of? Maybe you think of Times Square or Wall Street. Perhaps you think of the Empire State Building. Does your mind immediately go to pizza? Mine does. There’s a number of cultural references to New York that may come to mind. But whatever you think of, I’m willing to bet the first thing that comes to mind is related to New York City . . . not New York state. What is the rest of New York like beyond Manhattan? How do New Yorkers feel about the stereotypes and the tendency...2023-07-1256 minForgotten AmericaThe Leaf-Mould of an Appalachian Mind This may have been one of my favorite episodes to record in quite awhile, and I hope you all enjoy it too. In this week’s episode, Garrett interviews West Virginia author, S.D. Smith, author of the beloved Green Ember series. Garrett & Sam discuss such wide-ranging topics as the beauty of Appalachia, Sam’s childhood in South Africa, the philosophy and writing of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and the feeling that many West Virginians have of inferiority inter-mixed with a deep sense of pride. If you believe all children should read fairy tales, if you feel a...2023-06-021h 07Forgotten AmericaHow American Municipalities Can Flourish And What’s Holding Them Back Mark Moses has provided finance-related management and consulting services to local government agencies since 2011 after spending two decades working directly for municipal agencies in senior-level finance and administrative management positions. He joins Garrett today on Forgotten America to discuss an area of political life that is often forgotten, overlooked, and dismissed: municipal finance. Each of us is often most aware of national politics, and when it comes to certain issues, we may pay attention to our state legislatures. But how many of us keep an eye on what the level of government closest to us is doing? Mark & Garrett discuss ho...2023-05-161h 29Forgotten AmericaEp. 055: Danny Murphy - Right on Crime Danny Murphy, the Director of Right on Crime for Virginia and West Virginia, joins Garrett Ballengee and Jessica Dobrinsky Harris, Cardinal’s Policy Analyst, for a discussion of what it means to reform the criminal justice system in America and how we can approach this issue from a perspective rooted in the principles of liberty. In this episode, we tackle issues like mandatory minimums, what it means to be “tough on crime,” differences in types of drug offenders, bail reform, plea bargaining, federalism, and more. Right on Crime ---------- Garrett Ballengee, Host Executive Director - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Po...2023-05-021h 17Forgotten AmericaRediscovering the One Room Schoolhouse in America Kerry McDonald, a national expert on education entrepreneurship and alternative forms of education, joins Garrett to discuss nontraditional schooling and the growing trend of microschooling in America. Garrett & Kerry explore the history of homeschooling and the reasons why many have chosen to return to a model of education that is reminiscent of the one room schoolhouse while debunking several popular myths about homeschooling and other forms of alternative education. Kerry also shares the most recent statistics about homeschooling and microschooling in the United States along with stories from her work with education entrepreneurs across the country. Senior Education Fellow at FEE...2023-04-1957 minForgotten AmericaA Renaissance in Rural Education Dr. Matt Ladner is an education policy researcher and is the Executive Editor of ReimaginED, a blog focused on education choice. Matt is also the Director of the Arizona Center for Student Opportunity at the Arizona Charter School Association. Matt joins Garrett today to discuss his recent paper, co-authored with Jason Bedrick and published by the Heritage Foundation, Rustic Renaissance: Education Choice in Rural America. They talk about how well American public education is doing at achieving its purpose of “equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and habits they need for success in life and preparing them to exercise citizenship res...2023-02-2156 minForgotten AmericaThe Intersection of Energy & Culture with Stephanie WissmanStephanie Wissman is the Executive Director of API Pennsylvania, a division of the American Petroleum Institute. API’s mission is to promote safety and to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and natural gas industry. Stephanie joins Garrett to talk about domestic energy policy, wonder in awe at the marvel of modern fracking innovation, and dream of one day finally getting to see the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia. All on this episode of Forgotten America. @scwissman https://www.api.org/ https://www...2023-01-3149 minForgotten AmericaJack Johnson Pannell: A Firm Handshake In Baltimore As the founder of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, a public charter school, Jack Johnson Pannell aims to disrupt the status quo in education and design by building an effective model of teaching and learning for boys of color. As an impact social entrepreneur, he is expanding the Collegiate Model through a national network of schools. Jack joins Garrett on the podcast to talk about what makes an all boys school so different, and the massive impact that just a firm handshake and a tie can have on these young men. On this episode of Forgotten America. Jack Johnson Pannell Found...2023-01-1756 minForgotten AmericaForest Folk and The Return of John Hood What do Sojourner Truth, Davy Crockett, Ichabod Crane, and a Cherokee river dragon have in common? They are all characters in John Hood’s second historical-fantasy novel, Forest Folk. John Hood is president of the John William Pope Foundation, a Raleigh-based grantmaker that supports public policy organizations, educational institutions, arts and cultural programs, and humanitarian relief in North Carolina and beyond. He is also a newspaper columnist, historian, and an author with a deep passion for both the American Founding and speculative fiction. In this episode, John joins Garrett for his second time as a guest of the podcast, to discus...2022-12-211h 00Forgotten AmericaLooking Inward & Looking BackwardWelcome back to the Forgotten America Podcast! We are returning from a strategic pause in releasing new episodes in order to build up a robust catalog of episodes and add new content formats to the show. We have a lineup of fantastic guests and we're excited to share those conversations with you. In this episode, Garrett goes solo as he reflects on the importance of exploring our roots as a way to find meaning and purpose in our lives. He discusses how those who came before us influence who we are today and shares his...2022-12-0631 minForgotten AmericaBird Nerds with Garrett & JessiNote: As you probably noticed, this episode is being released a week later than our usual schedule. Extensive traveling has made it difficult to schedule a guest interview while Garrett is on the road. So we brought in Cardinal Institute's Jessi Troyan to do a deep dive with Garrett on the current state of the US economy. Jessi Troyan is the Director of Policy and Research for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Jessi was raised in Pinch, WV, about 20 minutes outside Charleston. She received her Ph.D. in economics from Ge...2022-05-3137 minForgotten AmericaSpending Time with Art: Why Art Should Matter to Rural AmericaGarrett is joined by Brian Fencl, Professor of Art, and Director of the Nutting Gallery at West Liberty University. This week, Garrett and Brian dive into some of the reasons visual arts are so important for fly-over country. Are rural Americans portrayed fairly in art? Should the government continue to support the arts? Is it even possible to define what art is? All coming up in this episode of Forgotten America. Brian Fencl, @fenclstudio https://westliberty.edu/media-visual-arts/faculty/brian-fencl/ Nutting Gallery at Wes...2022-05-101h 17Forgotten AmericaWhat's the Big Deal With Microschools? With Don SoiferGarrett is joined by Don Soifer, President of Nevada Action for School Options, a nonpartisan “action tank” he founded in 2017 to support the growth of diverse choices of rich, high-quality, and personalized educational opportunities for all students. This week, Garrett and Don discuss his approach to alternative education, including microschools, learning pods, and hybrid learning, along with some of the challenges facing the School Choice movement. Don Soifer @donsoifer Nevada Action for School Options Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Exec...2022-04-261h 00Forgotten AmericaNew Mexico's Errors of Enchantment with Paul GessingGarrett is joined by Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing liberty and prosperity for New Mexico citizens by promoting individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity. This week, Garrett and Paul discuss the many economic and social issues currently facing New Mexico and how leaders at the state and local levels are picking up the slack left by the federal government. Paul Gessing, @pgessing Rio Grande Foundation, https://riograndefoundation.org/ https://errorsofenchantment.com/ Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng ...2022-04-121h 12Forgotten AmericaDefining Rural Broadband with Professor Gus HurwitzGarrett is joined by Justin (Gus) Hurwitz, Professor at Nebraska College of Law and the Director of Law & Economic Programs at the International Center for Law & Economics. Gus's work builds on his background in law, technology, and economics to consider the interface between law and technology and the role of regulation in high-tech industries. In this week's episode, Garrett and Gus discuss the logistical, political, and philosophical questions surrounding broadband in rural America. Gus Hurwitz @gushurwitz https://law.unl.edu/justin-gus-hurwitz/ Tech Refactored Podcast https://ngtc.unl.edu/techrefactored Ne...2022-03-301h 04Forgotten AmericaRedefining Rural Education with Garris Stroud Garrett is joined today by Garris Stroud, Founder and Chief Editor of Rural Ed Voices, an organization seeking to elevate the conversation on education opportunities in rural areas and small cities. In this week's episode, Garrett and Garris discuss colleges of education, school choice, and the role that schools in rural America play in shaping the landscape of opportunity for students. Garris Stroud @garrisstroud Rural Ed Voices https://ruraledvoices.org/ @RuralEdVoices Hosted by Garrett Ballengee @gballeng Produced & Edited by Tony Reed @treed1134 Executive Producer Amanda Kieffer @akieffer13 Follow: YouTube, 2022-03-1557 minForgotten AmericaLet’s Work Together: Creating Practical Change and a Better Society in the Spirit of “E hana kākou"This week's episode is hosted by Cardinal Institute's Development Director, Jessi Troyan. Jessi is joined by Keliʻi Akina, President and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. The Grassroot Institute is a nonprofit policy research organization focusing on the values of individual liberty, economic freedom, and accountable government. In this episode, Jessi and Keliʻi discuss the Jones Act, how pandemic lockdowns affected Hawaii's economy, and creating practical change and a better society in the spirit of “E hana kākou” (Let’s work together). Grassroot Institute of Hawaii https://grassrootinstitute.org/ Grassroot...2022-03-0257 minForgotten AmericaA Vision & A Calling: Restoring Hope to Children & FamiliesGreg Clutter is the director of Foster Care Initiatives at Chestnut Mountain Ranch, a Christ-centered home and school. They reach the hearts of young men and restore broken families through a structured loving community. Their vision is to restore hope to children and families. He shares the history of the community and how it came to be located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Greg also discusses the role of religious communities in foster care and family welfare work, emphasizing the importance of having a strong "why" and a sense of purpose. Chestnut Mountain Ranch h...2022-02-151h 05
Giving VenturesCapitalizing on the Education MomentIn our third episode of Giving Ventures, host and DonorsTrust Vice President Peter Lipsett talks about school choice with three experts in education policy: Tommy Schultz, chief executive officer of the American Federation for Children; Nicki Neily, president of Parents Defending Education; and Garrett Ballengee, executive director of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy.2021-10-1236 min
The Overton Window“It was an idea whose time had come in West Virginia”Garrett Ballengee of the Cardinal Institute on the Nation’s Largest School Choice Program2021-06-0400 min
Inside West Virginia PoliticsWhat the Mountain State could expect from the 2020 General ElectionOn this week’s Inside West Virginia Politics, we talk about we could expect from Tuesday’s election, how the coronavirus impacted the election, and whether the state should promote school choice.In segment one, Professor Robert Rupp, professor of political science at West Virginia Wesleyan College, explains what he believes we can expect from Tuesday’s General Election, why he thinks Republicans will do very well in the Mountain State, and the impact the coronavirus had on this election cycle.In segment two, Rupp, author of the new book “The Primary that Made a Presiden...2020-11-2522 minInside West Virginia PoliticsBig Issues for the 2020 Legislative SessionOn this week’s episode, we take a look at some of the issues that are important to and will be pushed by groups in the 2020 West Virginia Legislative session.In segment 1, Dale Lee, the West Virginia Education Association President, talks about the previous teachers strikes and what they want to see passed in the 2020 legislative session.In segment 2, Andrew Schneider, Executive Director of Fairness West Virginia, talks about the Fairness Act which would ban discrimination in hiring, access to housing and public spaces for LGBTQ people in West Virginia.In segment 3, Seth Di...2019-12-1821 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 99: School Survey Series - Exploring West Virginia's Private Education SectorEdChoice's Drew Catt talks with Garrett Ballengee, Cardinal Institute's executive director, about lack of school choice options in West Virginia. Our new study with the Cardinal Institute shows the state's existing private schools would be open to participating and have thousands of open seats to spare.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-1512 min