Real State

Leading Through AI: What's Next for State Government

Artificial intelligence has become a practical tool for improving operations and serving citizens more effectively. In this episode of Real | State, Lindsey Gray sits down with Doug Robinson, Executive Director of NASCIO, to explore how states are...

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Building Credibility into Public Service

What makes public institutions credible in an era of AI, social media, and declining public trust? Recorded live at the CSG South Senior Legislative Conference (SLC) in Lexington, Kentucky, host Lindsey Gray sits down with Missouri Senate...

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The Future of Medicaid: Challenges, Costs & Care

Medicaid is at the center of some of the biggest policy debates facing states today—from rising healthcare costs and workforce shortages to rural hospital sustainability and evolving federal requirements. Recorded live at the Southern Legislative...

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Rural Louisiana: Sustaining Communities for the Next Generation, with Rep. C. Travis Johnson

How can rural communities preserve their identity while preparing for the future? In this episode of Real | State, host Lindsey Gray sits down with Louisiana Representative C. Travis Johnson to explore how strategic investments in workforce...

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From Policy to Results: Governing Tennessee Effectively, with Sen. Bo Watson

How do states know whether public policy is actually working? Tennessee Senator Bo Watson joins Real | State to discuss the importance of measuring outcomes—not just passing legislation. From education reform and government transparency to higher...

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Inside Kentucky’s Economic Development Evolution, with Speaker Pro Tem David Meade

Kentucky Speaker Pro Tem David Meade joins host Lindsey Gray to discuss the state's economic development strategy, from site readiness and infrastructure investments to workforce development, housing affordability, energy needs, and emerging...

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Balancing Budgets & Better Human Services Outcomes, with OK Rep. Daniel Pae

How do states balance fiscal responsibility with the growing demand for human services, behavioral health support, and child welfare programs? Host Lindsey Gray sits down with Oklahoma Representative Daniel Pae, Chair of the House Appropriations and...

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Alabama’s Strategic Approach to Military & Veterans, with Casey Rogers of the Alabama State Military Department

Host Lindsey Gray speaks with Casey Rogers of the Alabama State Military Department about the state’s growing focus on supporting veterans, military families, and National Guard readiness. Drawing from her experience in Governor Kay Ivey’s...

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An Inside Look at Tennessee’s Patient First Act, with Rep. Dan Howell

Real | State host Lindsey Gray sits down with Tennessee Representative Dan Howell to unpack the proposed Patient First Act, a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at reshaping how health insurance impacts patients, providers, and access to care. The...

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South Carolina Education with Senator Hembree: Gains, Gaps, and What’s Next? 

outh Carolina Senator Greg Hembree joins host Lindsey Gray to discuss the future of education policy in the Palmetto State—from school choice and charter accountability to teacher recruitment, classroom discipline, and student achievement. As chair of...

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North Carolina’s Approach to Disaster Resilience, with Rep. Mark Pless

As natural disasters grow more frequent and severe, states are being pushed to rethink how they prepare, respond, and rebuild. In this episode of Real State, North Carolina Representative Mark Pless shares a rare dual perspective as both a legislator...

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Inside Virginia’s Child Welfare Reforms, with Delegate Katrina Callsen

Lindsey Gray sits down with Virginia Delegate Katrina Callsen to explore how child welfare policy can better support children and families. From expanding kinship care and preventing unnecessary foster care placements to improving school stability and...

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Staffing State Legislatures: Doing More With Less, with Jay Hartz

When legislative sessions end, the work of state government continues behind the scenes. In this episode of Real | State, host Lindsey Gray is joined by Jay Hartz, Executive Director of Kentucky’s Legislative Research Commission, to explore how a...

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Revitalizing Rural Mississippi, with Senator Rod Hickman

Host Lindsey Gray sits down with Mississippi State Senator Rod Hickman to explore how Mississippi’s dramatic rise from 49th to 9th in fourth-grade reading is reshaping opportunity across rural communities. The conversation connects early literacy to...

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Grid to Growth: Energy Policy & Economic Opportunity, with Delegate Clay Riley

Host Lindsey Gray speaks with West Virginia Delegate Clay Riley to explore how energy policy is shaping the state’s economic future during the 2026 legislative session. Energy has always been central to West Virginia’s identity—and today, it’s also a...

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Right-Sizing Housing, Taxes & Community Stability in Georgia, with Speaker Jon Burns

In the inaugural episode of Real | State, host Lindsey Gray sits down with Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns to explore affordability as a defining issue for Georgia families—from property tax reform and housing supply to rural economic resilience and...

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Across the country, the decisions made in state capitals don't just shape policy, they shape everyday life. From how we build and strengthen our communities, to how we prepare the next generation of leaders, and how states work together to solve...