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

Nov 21, 2024 · 47 min
2024 Election – What Did We Learn? – with Andy Busch and Lindsay Chervinsky
Following an unprecedented presidential campaign, Andy Busch, Associate Director of the Institute of American Civics at the Baker School, and Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to debrief the election. What have we learned and what can history tell us about what might be next?
Oct 31, 2024 · 59 min
Can the Supreme Court be impartial? – with Steve Vladeck and John McGinnis
Steve Vladeck, law professor at Georgetown and CNN Supreme Court analyst, and John McGinnis, law professor at Northwestern, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the impact of polarization and declining public trust on the Supreme Court. Is the Supreme Court as partisan as Americans think it is? Are reforms needed to help rebuild trust?
Oct 22, 2024 · 55 min
Can the Constitution help fight polarization? – with Yuval Levin
While constitutional issues are at the heart of many of our disagreements, it may also be the solution to our increasing political polarization. Yuval Levin, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of a new book "American Covenant", join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to explore how the Constitution can guide us to disagree constructively and resolve problems.
Oct 8, 2024 · 54 min
How has polarization changed governing? – with Anthony Foxx and Margaret Spellings
Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation in the Obama Administration and Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education in the Bush Administration, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam for a wide-ranging conversation, reflecting on experiences navigating divisions then and the changes they see today. They also share lessons learned while in office, from navigating relationships with the White House and Congress to memorable encounters with Dick Cheney and Grover Norquist. This episode was recorded live at Davidson College in September 2024.
Sep 24, 2024 · 58 min
Is the Political Left and Right a Myth? – with Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis
Brothers, professors, and authors Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss their new book "The Myth of Left and Right", and its premise that the "left" and "right" are social groups united by tribal loyalty rather than consistent philosophies. Could a more multidimensional view of politics improve our civic discourse? This episode was recorded live at the Chattanooga Rotary Club in August 2024.
Sep 10, 2024 · 44 min
What does the research say about polarization? – with Rachel Kleinfeld
Are Americans as divided as we think we are? To kick off Season Five, Rachel Kleinfeld, an international relations scholar and senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict and Governance program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss what the research says about the roots and repercussions of polarization in American politics.
Aug 20, 2024 · 33 min
Phil & Bill Answer Your Questions
Two years and over 200,000 downloads later, "You Might Be Righ"t has inspired listeners nationwide. To mark this milestone, we invited our most avid listeners to ask Governors Bredesen and Haslam questions about the podcast, their time in office, and current hot topics.
Aug 6, 2024 · 43 min
What's Happening with AI Right Now? – with Michael Kratsios
Nearly a year after the first You Might Be Right episode on AI, Michael Kratsios, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to revisit this rapidly evolving topic. They discuss recent AI developments, its societal impact, and America's role in global tech leadership.
Jun 24, 2024 · 33 min
What is the history and future of presidential debates? – with Frank Fahrenkopf
Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the history of televised presidential debates, his reaction to two major party campaigns agreeing to debates this year without the Commission's involvement, and the future of these essential civic events.
Mar 26, 2024 · 32 min
How can we disagree better? – with Spencer Cox and Jared Polis
Two Governors from adjacent states and opposing parties, Utah's Spencer Cox (R) and Colorado's Jared Polis (D), join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to share their "Disagree Better" initiative. They affirm the need to "disagree without hating each other" and explore practical ways to disagree better in everyday life.
Mar 12, 2024 · 51 min
Is the Electoral College the best way to elect a president? – with Allen Guelzo and Daniel Ziblatt
Historian Allen Guelzo of Princeton University and political scientist Daniel Ziblatt of Harvard join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to delve into our presidential election process, its history, and arguments for (and against) reform.
Feb 27, 2024 · 50 min
What is the Role of Traditional Media in a Presidential Election? – with Natalie Allison and Dan Balz
Natalie Allison, national political reporter for Politico, and Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent for The Washington Post, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to examine the evolving role of traditional media in a modern presidential campaign.
Feb 13, 2024 · 48 min
Can a Third-Party Candidate Succeed? – with Dan DiSalvo and Bill Galston
Dan DiSalvo, a political scientist and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Bill Galston, a senior fellow at Brookings and Wall Street Journal columnist, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss our two-party system and if a third-party candidate for president can be successful.
Jan 30, 2024 · 57 min
Is Our Primary System Working? – with Galen Druke and Jonah Goldberg
Galen Druke, host and producer of the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast and Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Dispatch and host of The Remnant podcast, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to explore the modern presidential primary system – how it evolved, how it works, how it has changed politics, and if it ultimately reflects the will of the people.
Jan 16, 2024 · 35 min
Phil & Bill Discuss Their Political Parties
To kick off Season Four, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam reveal why they chose to be part of their respective political parties and how they are squaring their own values with America's evolving political landscape. Their conversation was moderated by Marianne Wanamaker, Dean of the Baker School. Season Four of "You Might Be Right" will focus on election-related topics, including partisan primaries, the two-party system and the role of third parties, and the electoral college vs. popular vote.
Dec 19, 2023 · 29 min
Phil & Bill Talk Immigration Policy
In this bonus episode, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam share their own perspectives on immigration, modeling the type of civil debate that "You Might Be Right" seeks to foster. From controlling the border to dealing with illegal immigrants already in the country, work visas, and humanitarian borders, the hosts discuss one of the most divisive – and nuanced – challenges facing the country today.
Nov 7, 2023 · 45 min
Carly Fiorina: On Running for President and Staying Engaged in our Democracy
As we approach the 2024 election, 2016 presidential candidate and fmr. HP CEO Carly Fiorina joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam for a wide-ranging discussion about democratic engagement, running for office, and her advice for business leaders.
Oct 31, 2023 · 54 min
Our Kids are Struggling. Who Can Help Them? – with Melissa Kearney and Richard Reeves
Recorded live at the Baker School in October 2023, economist Melissa Kearney, author of "The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind," and Brookings Sr. Fellow Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the challenges facing America's youth.
Oct 17, 2023 · 48 min
Entrepreneurship: What it takes to be successful, and should government have a role? - with Sarah Bellos and Brad Smith
Recorded live at Launch Tennessee's 3686 Festival, founders Sarah Bellos of Stony Creek Colors and Brad Smith of Russell Street Ventures join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to explore the interaction between entrepreneurship and public policy.
Oct 3, 2023 · 50 min
Affirmative Action and College Admissions: What Happens Now? - with Sarah Isgur and Marie Bigham
Legal analyst Sarah Isgur and fmr. college admissions official Marie Bigham join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the Supreme Court ruling banning race-conscious admission policies in higher education, responses to the ruling, and what's next.

You Might Be Right

2024 Election – What Did We Learn? – with Andy Busch and Lindsay Chervinsky

Can the Supreme Court be impartial? – with Steve Vladeck and John McGinnis

Can the Constitution help fight polarization? – with Yuval Levin

How has polarization changed governing? – with Anthony Foxx and Margaret Spellings

Is the Political Left and Right a Myth? – with Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis

What does the research say about polarization? – with Rachel Kleinfeld

Phil & Bill Answer Your Questions

What's Happening with AI Right Now? – with Michael Kratsios

What is the history and future of presidential debates? – with Frank Fahrenkopf

How can we disagree better? – with Spencer Cox and Jared Polis

Is the Electoral College the best way to elect a president? – with Allen Guelzo and Daniel Ziblatt

What is the Role of Traditional Media in a Presidential Election? – with Natalie Allison and Dan Balz

Can a Third-Party Candidate Succeed? – with Dan DiSalvo and Bill Galston

Is Our Primary System Working? – with Galen Druke and Jonah Goldberg

Phil & Bill Discuss Their Political Parties

Phil & Bill Talk Immigration Policy

Carly Fiorina: On Running for President and Staying Engaged in our Democracy

Our Kids are Struggling. Who Can Help Them? – with Melissa Kearney and Richard Reeves

Entrepreneurship: What it takes to be successful, and should government have a role? - with Sarah Bellos and Brad Smith

Affirmative Action and College Admissions: What Happens Now? - with Sarah Isgur and Marie Bigham