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You Might Be Right

Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at University of Tennessee

Former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam bring their perspectives to some of the country’s most challenging public policy questions, joined by expert guests with a range of viewpoints. In Season 9, they turn their attention to issues shaping the national conversation ahead of the midterm elections, including redistricting, affordability and what the polling numbers reveal about American voters. Produced by the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, "You Might Be Right" demonstrates that disagreement doesn’t have to mean division. Through thoughtful, civil conversations, the podcast explores complex issues, finds areas of common ground, and models a more constructive approach to public discourse. 


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  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 46 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • S9 · E58
    September 5 · 25 min

    What Dolly Parton Taught Us About Common Ground

    In this special episode, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam share personal stories about Dolly Parton and reflect on her life and legacy. Dolly had a remarkable ability to take stands, support causes, and use her influence without allowing herself to be pulled into partisan politics. What does it take to maintain the kind of universal appeal Dolly had? What can we learn from her approach?

  • S9 · E56
    August 25 · 2 min

    Introducing "You Might Be Right" Season 9

    From redistricting to affordability, we’re diving into the issues defining the midterm elections in a new season of "You Might be Right." On Sept. 3, the Season 9 opens with an episode that features former governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam in conversation with Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson and Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg about what voters are really thinking heading into November. Make sure you’re subscribed and follow along so you don’t miss new episodes, dropping every other week.

  • S8 · E56
    May 21 · 52 min

    Should Taxpayers Pay for R&D? – with Jeffrey Miron and Aldo Musacchio

    From the internet and GPS to vaccines and artificial intelligence, federal research funding has helped shape modern life, but should government still play such a large role in innovation? Jeffrey Miron, VP for Research at the Cato Institute and Economics Lecturer at Harvard, and Aldo Musacchio, Professor of Management and Economics at Brandeis, join Governors Haslam and Bredesen to debate whether taxpayer-funded research still makes sense in a world increasingly driven by private capital.

  • S8 · E55
    May 7 · 54 min

    Who Should Regulate AI? – with Kristian Stout and Bruce Schneier

    AI is already reshaping everyday life, but the rules governing it are still up for debate. Kristian Stout, Director of Innovation Policy at the International Center for Law & Economics, and Bruce Schneier, security technologist and author, join Governors Haslam and Bredesen to explore whether AI regulation should come from the market, the states, or the federal government.

  • S8 · E54
    April 23 · 53 min

    Should Federal Dollars Come with Strings Attached? – with Mitch Daniels & Elena Patel

    As billions of federal dollars flow through state budgets, who should decide how that money gets spent? Former IN Governor & OMB Director Mitch Daniels and Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center co-director Elena Patel join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to unpack the balance between federal priorities and state flexibility, and what it means for taxpayers.

  • S8 · E53
    April 9 · 52 min

    Is there too much money in politics? – with Larry Lessig and Brad Smith

    Ahead of the fall midterms, Larry Lessig, a professor at Harvard Law School, and Brad Smith, former chair of the Federal Election Commission and a professor at Capital University Law School, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to examine the campaign finance system driving election spending. Political spending enables expression and participation – but at what cost?

  • S8 · E52
    March 26 · 52 min

    Can the President do that? – with Jack Goldsmith and Ilya Shapiro

    Has the American presidency become too powerful? In this episode, Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Jack Goldsmith, a professor at Harvard Law School, and Ilya Shaprio, a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, to discuss the history, arguments, and constitutional stakes behind the not-so-simple question: can the President really do that?

  • S8 · E51
    March 10 · 58 min

    When and How Should the National Guard be Deployed? – with Rosa Brooks and John Yoo

    Should a president be able to take control of a state’s National Guard to restore order, even if a governor disagrees? To kick off a new season, Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Rosa Brooks, a law professor at Georgetown University and former senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Defense, and John Yoo, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and former official with the U.S. Department of Justice, to discuss the ability to federalize the National Guard and the unique role the Guard plays in times of crisis.

  • March 4 · 1 min

    Introducing "You Might Be Right"

    We’re back – now on YouTube. Join former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam as they tackle the toughest issues of the day with expert guests. Representing opposite sides of the aisle, the two leaders model how even the most polarizing topics can be explored with curiosity, humility, and respect. This season, we'll take on questions about the role of the National Guard, the limits of presidential power, campaign finance reform, and more.

  • S7 · E50
    Dec 2, 2025 · 31 min

    A Baker's Dozen - Howard Baker's 1998 Senate Address

    In this time of intense civil discord, Sen. Howard Baker's words still provide a path for renewing faith in our American institutions. In this special release episode, hear Sen. Baker's famous Baker's Dozen 1998 address delivered to the Senate.

  • S7 · E48
    Oct 28, 2025 · 52 min

    What Do Universities Owe Society? – with Ron Daniels

    The relationship between higher education and the American public has grown increasingly strained, leading many to call for reforms. In exchange for significant public funding, what are our universities obligated to provide the American people? Governors Bredesen and Haslam welcome Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University and author of What Universities Owe Democracy, to discuss the social contract in higher education and how universities can meet public expectations. This episode was recorded live at a Tennessee Higher Education Commission convening at Middle Tennessee State University in October 2025.

  • S7 · E47
    Oct 14, 2025 · 55 min

    Is the Federal Reserve Doing Its Job? – with Austan Goolsbee and Charles Calomiris

    Austan Goolsbee, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and Charles Calomiris, professor emeritus at Columbia Business School, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the challenges the Fed faces in balancing independence with accountability, and the potential policy reforms that could modernize its approach.

  • S7 · E46
    Oct 2, 2025 · 55 min

    If the Economy is Up, Why do Americans Feel Down? – with Whit Ayres, John Lettieri, and Marianne Wanamaker

    With a growing economy and household wealth at record highs, why do so many Americans feel left behind? In a live event, Governors Bredesen and Haslam sit down with Whit Ayres of North Star Opinion Research, John Lettieri of the Economic Innovation Group, and Dr. Marianne Wanamaker of the UT Baker School to examine the gap between economic data and public perception and discuss what reforms policymakers could implement to meet the economic demands of their constituents.

  • S7 · E45
    Sep 16, 2025 · 47 min

    Do we have enough energy to power the country? – with Reagan Farr and and Shameek Konar

    Economic growth and new technologies are driving a surge in energy demand, stressing the country's power grid and posing challenges for policymakers. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Reagan Farr, Co-Founder & CEO of Silicon Ranch, and Shameek Konar, fmr. CEO of Pilot & Head of Energy at Ara Partners to discuss evolving demands in energy consumption and how changing policies are affecting our nation's energy and climate.

  • S7 · E44
    Sep 2, 2025 · 58 min

    Who Judges the Judges? – with Holly Kirby, Sharon Lee, and Alberto Gonzales

    With the judicial branch increasingly in the spotlight, how judges are chosen and held accountable has never mattered more. Governors Bredesen and Haslam sit down with TN Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby, fmr. Justice Sharon Lee, and fmr. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to discuss judicial elections, ethics, and explore whether reforms are needed to preserve the independence of the judiciary and public trust.

  • S6 · E43
    May 13, 2025 · 1 hr

    Is Public Education in Crisis? – with Jeb Bush, John White, and Rahm Emanuel

    Our schools have faced unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and teacher shortages to debates over curriculum and student mental health. In this final episode of Season Six, Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education John White, and fmr. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to delve into the role of state and federal governments in education and discuss reforms needed to improve student outcomes.

  • S6 · E42
    Apr 29, 2025 · 54 min

    Can We Still Count on the Separation of Powers? – with Cass Sunstein and David Lewis

    In our Constitution, the framers established three independent branches of government, creating checks and balances to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Harvard professor Cass Sunstein and Vanderbilt professor David Lewis to explore the history and interaction between the branches and whether the Framers' vision holds up in current practice.

  • S6 · E41
    Apr 15, 2025 · 52 min

    How important are foreign alliances? – with Rahm Emanuel and Michael Kimmage

    As global dynamics shift, are foreign alliances essential to U.S. safety and prosperity – or is an America First approach more effective? Governors Bredesen and Haslam talk with former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and historian Michael Kimmage about the pros and cons of foreign alliances and the new international order.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes