Shows
2025-08-1205 min
Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginLocal Government Reform with Senator Mayes MiddletonSenator Mayes Middleton of Galveston breaks down how local governments are running massive deficits, taking on huge amounts of debt, and not just wasting taxpayer money, but weaponizing it against their own citizens.
2025-07-3152 min
Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginFighting Woke Indoctrination in Schools with Christie SlapeJoin Mandy Drogin on Parent Empowerment as she sits down with Christie Slape, Texas Ambassador for Moms for Liberty, to discuss the battle for parental rights and quality education in Texas public schools. From exposing inappropriate library books and advocating for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to challenging woke indoctrination and fighting against taxpayer funded lobbying, Christie shares her journey as a mom of four and accidental activist. Learn about Moms for Liberty’s mission, the impact of recent education legislation, and how parents can take action to protect their children’s education.
2025-07-1645 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginFreeing Our School Boards from Woke InfluencesThe Left has been waging a decades-long war to take over our school boards and grant their authority to unelected administrators. Luckily, courageous school board members like our guest, Brandon Hodges from Midland ISD, are looking for alternatives to the associations that are robbing school boards of their power - and they're finding them in organizations like Texans for Excellence in Education, from which both John Petree and Kara Belew join us today.
2025-06-231h 12Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginClassical Education, Reading Lists, and Learning to ReadMandy sits down with Erin Fonner, a mother of three and Development Director at Valor Education, to chat about Valor’s classical curriculum. Erin shares insights on the school’s rigorous approach to education and its commitment to parent partnership.
2025-06-1359 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginGrade Inflation & Texas Public School AccountabilityJoin Mandy Drogin on Parent Empowerment as she sits down with Mary Lynn Pruneda, Senior Policy Advisor at Texas 2036 and mother of three, to dive into the truth about grade inflation, the importance of the STAAR exam, and the A-F accountability system.
2025-06-0536 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginTeachers' Bill of RightsMandy brings on TPPF's K-12 Education Policy Director, Jorge Borrego, to chat about the Teachers' Bill of Rights in House Bill 2.
2025-05-2227 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginHow the Progressive Agenda Gets into Our SchoolsOur teachers are being bombarded by the leftist agendas long before they enter the classroom. TPPF's Kate Bierly breaks down how her professors and courses pushed DEI, Social Emotional Learning, and other progressive agendas.
2025-05-1541 min
Eric and Bob In The MorningEric and Bob in the Morning Full Podcast May 13th🔥 It’s a scorcher! On this Tuesday, May 13th episode of Eric and Bob in the Morning – Full Podcast, we’re sweating through the first official 100-degree day of the year in Austin. Hot, hot, hot!
🎟️ We’ve got ACL wristbands up for grabs, so don’t miss your shot to win your way into one of the biggest music events of the year.
🎬 The Yellowstone universe keeps expanding — we break down what spinoffs are on the way and who’s saddling up next.
📰 Jimmy Carter has your headlines covered with his daily news report.
🏫 Plus — do you really understand school vouchers? Mandy Drogin, Ca...
2025-05-133h 56
The Sweet Tea SeriesSchool Choice, Pop Culture, & the PopeJoin Ariana Guajardo and guest Mandy Drogin, Campaign Director of Next Generation Texas, as they dive into the historic Texas School Choice law, its impact on parents and kids, and what’s next for education freedom. Plus, catch up on pop culture with movie re-releases like Pride and Prejudice and Star Wars Episode 3, a preview of Angel Studios’ King of Kings, and reactions to The Guardian’s controversial article on conservative women. Don’t miss the latest on the Met Gala other current events!
2025-05-0638 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginAri Weisenfeld & Rabbi Yerachmiel GarfieldMandy chats with Ari Weisenfeld from Agudath Israel of America and Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield of the Yeshiva Torat Emet Jewish Day School to discuss the support in the Jewish community of Texas for school choice.
2025-04-3046 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginCassandra Posey, Homeschool Mom & Former TeacherMandy chats with Cassandra Posey, homeschool mom and former public school teacher, about her experiences in the classroom and what parent empowerment means for all Texans.
2025-04-2947 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginGreta and MiracleGreta, a north Texas mom, shares the heartbreaking story of how the public school system failed her son and how a scholarship has saved her Miracle.
2025-04-0928 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJen, Texas Public School TeacherJen, a Texas Public School Teacher, shares insight on the crisis in our public schools.
2025-03-2659 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRepresentative Jeff Leach, HD 67Representative Jeff Leach, HD 67, is a father of three kids who go to Texas public schools, and he knows how important it is to get education right. Representative Leach breaks down his support for ESAs and what other things he's working on for public education.
2025-03-1919 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginGreta and MiracleGreta, a north Texas mom, shares the heartbreaking story of how the public school system failed her son and how a scholarship has saved her Miracle.
2025-03-1228 min
For Liberty & Justice#023 - The Case for School ChoiceNate Schatzline sits down with Mandy Drogin at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Summit to discuss how Universal School Choice empowers parents and protects religious freedom in Texas.
2025-03-0338 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginAbraham George, Chairman of the Republican Party of TexasAbraham George, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, shares his support for empowering parents!
2025-02-2745 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRepresentative Nate Schatzline, HD 93Representative Nate Schatzline, a fearless fighter for parents, joins Mandy to break down school choice and the newly filed House Bill 3.
2025-02-2138 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJames Quintero, TPPFTPPF's James Quintero makes his second appearance on the podcast to break down the staggering half a trillion dollars in debt owed by local Texas governments--with more debt on the way!
2025-02-0554 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginTracy Hanson, Oak Creek AcademyTracy Hanson runs the Oak Creek Academy in Killeen, which specifically works with students with special needs. She shares her experiences and details how Oak Creek Academy is serving kids with special needs for a fraction of what Texas public schools spend per student.
2025-01-2143 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginDoree Collins, Cultivate Academy-CTXDoree Collins runs Cultivate Academy-CTX in Temple, TX, where serves the underserved youth in her community. Join us as she and her students share their incredible stories!
2025-01-1559 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJohn Papola, Dad Saves AmericaThe Parent Empowerment movement continues to grow! One incredible father fighting alongside us to pass Education Savings Accounts is none other than John Papola of Dad Saves America. Parents from across our country are hooked on the Dad Saves America podcast because John is “on a mission to celebrate, empower, and entertain Dads, could-be Dads, and father-figures of all stripes.”
2025-01-092h 11Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJames Quintero, Taxpayer Protection ProjectToday, Mandy is joined by her colleague, James Quintero, the policy director for TPPF's Taxpayer Protection Project, local government expert, and father of five, to discuss how the public education system breaks Texas' election laws to advocate against parents and propose solutions to solve this pervasive problem.
2024-12-1754 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginDr. Michael Adams, Texas Southern UniversityMandy is joined by TPPF's Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Michael Adams of Texas Southern University, to break down statewide polling on school choice and discuss the opportunities it provides to all Texans, no matter their background, economic situation, or zip code.
2024-12-1044 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginDr. Matthew Ladner, Heritage FoundationDr. Matthew Ladner, the Senior Advisor for the Heritage Foundation's Center for Education Policy, father of three, and education expert joins Mandy to break down the success of parent empowerment in other states, what Texas stands to gain with Education Savings Accounts, and how Texas' education system can bring itself into the future of education.
2024-12-0355 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRyan Hecker, Charter Schools NowTens of thousands of Texas students sit on charter school wait lists because there simply are not enough charter schools to meet demand. Ryan Hecker, father of four and managing director of Charter Schools Now is changing that through fearless advocacy for Texas students and the charter schools that serve them.
2024-11-191h 02Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginMichele Nuckolls, Texas Homeschool Mom and ActivistParents are demanding transparency, quality, respect, and choice in their children's education. Today, Michelle Nuckolls, a Texas homeschooling mom of four, breaks down her battle with local libraries, both in getting good books in and inappropriate books out. She also covers Texas' proposed new curriculum and the great improvements it will bring to our classrooms!
2024-11-121h 01Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJoel Enge, Director, Kingdom Life AcademyParent Empowerment it lifts up everyone, including kids who might otherwise be left behind. Mandy is joined by Joel Enge, the director of Kingdom Life Academy, who runs a fantastic school for the children of Tyler. Kingdom Life Academy empowers children who have been failed by other educational models - and in doing so, provides hope for so many!
2024-11-0745 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginPat Curry, Business Leader and ActivistTexas' economy is on the rise, and Texas needs a workforce to match. Mandy is joined by Pat Curry, a business leader in Waco, activist, and father of four, as he discusses how Texas education needs to change to accommodate our changing workforce, what forces are standing in the way of that change, and how empowering parents with choice in education will bolster Texas into the next decades and beyond.
2024-10-2946 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJoanne Shofner, Texas Mom and ActivistParent Empowerment is sweeping Texas—and it's been a driving passion in the journey of our guest today. Joanne Shofner, Texas Christian Coach, Activist, and, more importantly, mother of seven, joins Mandy to talk about her passion for ensuring that every Texas kid has access to the kind of education they need.
2024-10-2242 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJohn Petree, Texans for Excellence in EducationThis week for the Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin podcast, we chat with John Petree, the president of Texans for Excellence in Education and, more importantly, father of nine. John talked about the role that TEE plays and how their innovative strategies and products serve school districts and kids better, while saving taxpayers big money.
2024-10-1544 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginBrady Serafin, Cedar Crest Health SystemsParent Empowerment is sweeping Texas because parents are demanding options that fit their children's unique needs, experiences, and situations. This week on Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Mandy sits down with Brady Serafin, the CEO of Cedar Crest Health Systems a treatment facility with a partnership with the University of Texas University Charter school district in Belton, TX. Cedar Crest specializes in meeting the mental, emotional, and psychological needs of vulnerable children with mental health issues, and oftentimes, traumatic backgrounds. Brady and Mandy chat about the mental health crisis in Texas schools and schools across America, how parents can...
2024-10-081h 01Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRenea, Texas MomEvery kid is unique, and their parents know best how to answer their unique needs. That's why the Parent Empowerment movement is sweeping Texas, because Texas parents know that they are the ones who are best equipped to make educational decisions for their children. This week on Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Mandy is joined by Renea, a Texas mom whose two kids took two different educational paths for different reasons. Renea shares her heartbreaking story and reminds us all why why we fight.
2024-10-0124 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginState Representative Brian Harrison, HD 10 Parent Empowerment is sweeping Texas, and today, Mandy sits down with Representative Brian Harrison (HD 10), father of four and former chief of staff in the Trump administration for the federal Department of Health and Human Services, to talk with him about his perspective on Parent Empowerment as a father and lawmaker. Rep. Harrison also details his push for transparency while serving on the Texas House Public Education committee, as well as his belief in education freedom through ESAs, and wasteful use of taxpayer money that’s not going to our teachers in the classrooms.
2024-09-2455 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRepresentative Chip Roy, TX-21Texas Parents are united in the fight for our children’s future, and the Parent Empowerment movement has swept the country. Today, Congressman Chip Roy from Congressional District 21 joins Mandy Drogin to talk about why he supports Texas parents’ right to select the best education for their kids and Universal Education Savings Accounts. Congressman Roy pulls no punches in calling out the profiteers, associations and consultants impeding parents’ rights and manipulating the system to steer tax dollars away from teachers an into their pockets. He also addresses the concerns of conservatives with school choice, and explains how the parent empowe...
2024-09-1444 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginJohn Colyandro, Colyandro Public AffairsParent Empowerment is sweeping the nation, but parents in the largest conservative state in America have found themselves behind the ball on getting transparency, quality, respect, and choice out of the education system. Join Mandy as she sits down with John Colyandro, father and founder of Colyandro Public Affairs, a pro-parent and pro-freedom lobbying firm. John breaks down the special interest groups opposing parents and how they’re using the system to their advantage.
2024-09-131h 02Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginVance Ginn, Ginn Economic ConsultingParents rightfully demand transparency from their school districts, and too often schools hide how much they're spending and what they're spending taxpayer dollars on. Join Mandy Drogin as she sits down with Vance Ginn, dad of 3, founder of Ginn Economic Consulting, and formerly an economist in the Trump administration, as they break down school finance and dive into how much our schools are spending and what they're spending it on.
2024-09-1243 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginBecca Williams, Valor EducationParent empowerment means that every kid gets an education that fits their unique needs. Join Mandy Drogin as she sits down with Becca Williams, a mom of 2, former teacher, author, and co-founder of Valor Education, a classical public charter school, to chat about what classical education is, how it helps kids, and what parents and school leaders can learn from the successes of Valor and other classical schools.
2024-08-2041 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginAnita Scott, Texas Home School CoalitionParent Empowerment has swept the country, and Texas is leading the mission for parental options and choices. Join Mandy Drogin as she chats with Anita Scott, the Policy Director for the Texas Homeschool Coalition about Anita’s passion for serving homeschool parents, why her parents chose to homeschool her, and how we can empower parents across the state.
2024-08-2032 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginDr. Deborah CohenParent Empowerment has swept the country, and Texas is leading the mission for transparency in our schools. Join Mandy Drogin as she chats with Dr. Debbie Cohen about her experience with Special Education in her local public schools—and pick up some vital tips and tricks on how to work with and through the system from an experienced mom!(The views expressed on this episode are Dr. Cohen's own personal perspectives and not reflective of the UT school system.)Go to TXParentsMatter.com to join the Parent Empowerment movement and sign up for email updates.
2024-08-2049 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginRob McClellandDripping Springs ISD School Board Trustee Rob McClelland explains why parents need to be involved in their children's education and shares stories of how lobbying groups try to exert their influence.Go to TXParentsMatter.com to join the Parent Empowerment movement and sign up for email updates.
2024-08-2050 minParent Empowerment with Mandy DroginDr. Richard Johnson, Rep. Shawn Thierry & Angie ThibodeauxParent Empowerment has swept the country, and Texas is leading the mission for transparency in our schools. We had an incredible panel of Houstonians as TPPF’s own Dr. Richard Johnson, State Representative Shawn Thierry, and engaged parent Angie Thibodeaux discussed the need for education options in their own communities and the sacrifices and hard decisions they’ve made for the betterment of their children’s education.Go to TXParentsMatter.com to join the Parent Empowerment movement and sign up for email updates.
2024-07-231h 27Parent Empowerment with Mandy DroginHillary HicklandParent Empowerment has swept the country, and Texas is leading the mission for transparency in our schools. That’s why mom of 4, Hillary Hickland, shares about her daughter’s experience seeing a friend be groomed by teachers to transition to a boy, and the fight to remove sexually explicit books that are still in our Texas school libraries.We will inspire you to fight for your kids and take your power back.Go to TXParentsMatter.com to join the Parent Empowerment movement and sign up for email updates.
2024-07-1638 min
The Arena with Greg SindelarMLB's Mark Teixeira and TPPF's Mandy DroginTPPF's CEO Greg Sindelar, World Series Champion Mark Teixeira and Next Generation Texas' Campaign Director Mandy Drogin sit down to chat about the important things in life: sports, food and parental empowerment!
2024-05-3122 minThe Sweet Tea SeriesWhy Moms Fight for School Choice & Happy Mother's Day!Happy Mother's Day! Powerhouse Mom and TPPF's Next Generation Texas Campaign Director, Mandy Drogin, is back! She sat down with Ariana to share stories of moms in Texas who are fighting for school choice, the parenting challenges facing moms today, and how her mom has inspired her.
2024-05-1053 min
The Jimmy Barrett ShowThe Eclipse BoomToday on the Jimmy Barrett Show:Lisa Miller on the upcoming eclipse.TPPF's Mandy Drogin on the Texas Legislature.
2024-04-0539 min
State House with Frank SantosThe Misalignment of School Funding vs. Teacher Pay with Mandy Drogin Part 2In the second part of the conversation, Mandy sheds light on the impact of school choice on low-income families, drawing examples from Florida's success in implementing private school choice for low-income demographics. The discussion covers the influence of lobbyists and interest groups on education policies, addressing concerns about technology overuse in classrooms and its potential negative effects on young minds.
They cover the role of teachers and their challenges within the system, examining issues related to pay, unions, and the impact of far-left ideologies on education policies. Mandy emphasizes the need for collaboration between parents and teachers to...
2023-12-2034 minState House with Frank SantosThe Misalignment of School Funding vs. Teacher Pay with Mandy Drogin Part 1NOTE: This release marks the beginning of State House's bi-weekly release schedule for the holidays! Join us every other week beginning in December through the month of January to stay up to date on the issues that matter most to Texans as we enter the election year!Did you know that 90% of Texans are within a 30-minute drive of a career or technical college, a community college, or a certification program? Yet, there's a catch. Mandy Drogin, the campaign director for Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joins the conversation. She d...
2023-12-0634 minThe Sweet Tea SeriesSaving Education in TexasTaylor sits down with Mandy Drogin, Campaign Director for Next Generation Texas, to discuss how she is fighting to save the education system, empower parents, and give future generations of children in Texas the opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
2023-11-241h 03
Students Over SystemsMandy Drogin: Parental Empowerment and School Choice in TexasTexas Governor Greg Abbott brought the state legislature back this month for a special legislative session to consider a K-12 education savings account (ESA) proposal. Mandy Drogin, campaign director of Next Generation, joins the podcast to discuss the ESA proposal and plans to expand Texas parental empowerment in the Lone Star state by increasing transparency, quality, respect for parents as ultimate decision makers for their child's education, and choice. Mandy dispels myths around Texas education funding, describes the high demand for school choice in the state, and encourages parents to engage in the legislative process so that every Texas...
2023-10-1727 min
Medical MotherhoodWhy a Good Scare Can Be TherapeuticAs the days get darker and the Halloween decorations come out, I wanted to republish this piece from last year. I still think about my conversation with haunted house creator and medical mama Chrissa Paradis and how cathartic a good scream and a giggle can be. Here’s an excerpt. Follow the link below for the real deal:[…] As parents to kids with medical emergencies — or the isolating subset of folks who have to deal with the real possibility of child death — visceral terror is not funny or theoretical: It’s some of the most r...
2023-10-1511 min
The Texas Values ReportTexas Values Report - Special Segment with Mandy Drogin - 10.6.2023Texas Values Report with special guest Mandy Drogin, Campaign Director, Next Generation Texas, Texas Public Policy Foundation
2023-10-0625 min
The Right IdeaSchool Choice with Mandy DroginNext Generation Texas Campaign Director Mandy Drogin stops by to discuss school choice and empowering parents in their kids’ education. Check out TXParentsMatter.com for more information.2:20 What Led Texas to Another Special Session10:05 Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)33:15 Debunking School Funding Myths
2023-09-2250 min
Texas Wants to KnowWhy is school choice a priority for the state's top elected officials?When the 88th Texas Legislature convened in January, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) listed school choice as one of his top priorities. But with the session set to conclude at the end of May, it's unclear if the Texas House will deliver. This week, Baylee Friday talks to Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, state Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock), and Texas Monthly senior editor Forrest Wilder, who has written extensively about the intersection of public schools and politics, about why school choice is a priority, how it would impact public schools...
2023-05-1118 min
The Austin City CouncilmanApril 10, 2023 - Mandy Drogin, School Choice in Texas: What Happens Next?Watch this conversation on Vimeo! Mandy Drogin is a mom of three and the Campaign Director of Next Generation Texas at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Mandy is working on school choice for K-12, as well as improving the Higher Education and workforce development in Texas. Visit www.txparentsmatter.com Parent Empowerment Day: https://tinyurl.com/j3kny9v3 twitter.com/TPPF ________________________ @bradswail austincitycouncilman.com Support the show on Patreon!
2023-04-101h 04
PragerU 5-Minute VideosWhy Public Schools Should Want School ChoiceOne of the few public policies that unites people from across the political spectrum is school choice—the ability of parents to choose the school that best fits their children’s needs. So, why isn’t it the norm? Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation explains what the obstacles are and how we might overcome them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-04-0305 minThe Jimmy Barrett ShowGambling is Dead in the Water for TexasToday on the Jimmy Barrett Show:Hayden Sparks of The Texan on legalizing gamblingTPPF's Mandy Drogin on her recent education tour
2023-03-2436 minThe Jimmy Barrett ShowThe General State of Credit Card DebtToday on the Jimmy Barrett Show:What's happening with credit card debt?TPPF's Mandy Drogin on a four-day school week and school choiceMark Mix of Right to Work on a story from Cypress
2023-02-2338 minThe Jimmy Barrett ShowA Little Food PoisoningToday on the Jimmy Barrett Show:Jimmy had food poisoningGas stove banTPPF's Mandy Drogin on school choice
2023-01-1235 min
Brian's BreakdownShannon Braun and Mandy Drogin: Protecting Students from Inside the SystemOver the past two years, some parents were shocked to learn that activist school boards, administrators, and teachers have been subjecting students to controversial subjects and material without parents' consent. Shannon Braun was elected to the Colleyville ISD school board on a promise to protect students and parents' rights and has been fighting ever since. Mandy Drogin has been a longtime advocate for parental empowerment and implementing choice in education and is working on reforms that will address parents concerns in the next Texas Legislative Session.
2022-10-2449 minThe Jimmy Barrett ShowTeacher ShortagesToday on the Jimmy Barrett Show: Jimmy listens to clips from Liz Cheney and Lina Hidalgo TPPF's Mandy Drogin on the teacher shortage
2022-08-1925 min