You Might Be Right

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

Former Tennessee Governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen take on topics including crime, the media, gun violence, and education disparities with expert guests of differing viewpoints. From the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, "You Might be Right" aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in government, public policy, and public service by demonstrating that thoughtful civil conversations about tough topics are still possible.

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57 episodes
Updated May 21

Episodes57

Newest first

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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
Nov 11, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Would Howard Baker Have a Place in Today's Politics? – with Tom Daschle and Ben Sasse
Former U.S. Senators Tom Daschle and Ben Sasse join Governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen to discuss Howard Baker's legacy as "The Great Conciliator" and what his place would be in today's politics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2025 · 42 min
Has Pardon Power Gone Too Far? – with Mike Nelson and Steve Vladeck
The power of the President to pardon convicted criminals is enshrined in the Constitution, but many experts have criticized the recent use of pardons and calls for reform have grown louder. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Mike Nelson, professor of political science at Rhodes College and Steve Vladeck, professor of law at Georgetown University (and returning YMBR guest), to discuss this power, what the Framers of the Constitution intended, and how it could be reformed.
Mar 18, 2025 · 48 min
Can government work better and cost less? – with Elaine Kamarck and Jim Capretta
Presidents from both parties have tried to make government leaner – with mixed results. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution and Jim Capretta of AEI to discuss what a smaller, more efficient government might look like – and if it's realistic. Drawing on their own experiences in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, the guests discuss the real drivers of federal spending and whether efforts like the Department of Government Efficiency could make a difference.
Mar 6, 2025 · 46 min
Is this the end of free trade? – with Heather Long and James Lake
To kick off a new season of You Might Be Right, Heather Long, opinion columnist for The Washington Post, and James Lake, associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss trade policy and the impact of tariffs.

You Might Be Right

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

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

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

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

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

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

Introducing "You Might Be Right"

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

Would Howard Baker Have a Place in Today's Politics? – with Tom Daschle and Ben Sasse

What Do Universities Owe Society? – with Ron Daniels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Has Pardon Power Gone Too Far? – with Mike Nelson and Steve Vladeck

Can government work better and cost less? – with Elaine Kamarck and Jim Capretta

Is this the end of free trade? – with Heather Long and James Lake