Cap Chat Texas

S2E16 - There is Always More to the Story with Brad Johnson of the Texas Bullpen

How does a guy from Ohio who grew up dreaming of playing professional baseball become one of Texas’ top political reporters?   In this episode of Cap Chat Texas,  we vis

S2E15 Part 1 - Getting to Know Bill Hobby with Don Carleton and Erin Purdy

In this episode, our guests Don Carleton and Erin Purdy discuss their book Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service, which explores the career and legacy of Te

S2E15 Part 2 - The More You Know about Bill Hobby with Don Carleton and Erin Purdy

In this episode, our guests Don Carleton and Erin Purdy discuss their book Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service, which explores the career and legacy of Te

S2E14 - Horses, Typewriters and Pickles with the Legendary Lawrence Olsen

Over a career spanning five decades, Lawrence Olsen has done it all - senate messenger, tour guide, agency staffer, journalist, campaign aide, congressional staffer, and

S2E13 - Whistleblowing, AI, And Fallout Boy With Laura Davis (Carr)

Before co-founding the legislative tracking service US Lege, Laura Carr Davis worked in DC, did advance work for Governor Abbott, lobbied, and headed policy for a state s

S2E12 - Relationships Matter With Jim Arnold

Longtime lobbyist Jim Arnold joins Cap Chat Texas to share insights from his career that began as an intern at the Texas Legislative Budget Board while attending the LBJ

S2E11 - Got Humanity? With Emiliano Romero

With both of his parents working around the Texas Capitol, Emiliano Romero literally grew up in and around the building. In this episode, Emiliano recounts how he went fr

S2E10 - The Message Focuser with Denise Rose

Lawyer and lobbyist Denise Rose joins us on this episode of Cap Chat Texas to share her journey from aspiring doctor to prominent lobbyist, with a strong focus on health

S2E9 - The Honorable Ben Barnes - Part 2

Episode Summary In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, we continue our conversation with former Speaker of the House and Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes.   Ben discusses his

S2E8 - The Honorable Ben Barnes - Part 1

In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, our special guest is Texas political icon Governor Ben Barnes, who served as both Speaker of the Texas House and as Lieutenant Governor

S2E7 - Read, Learn, Listen, Repeat with Carol McGarah

In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, veteran lobbyist Carol McGarah shares her path from working at a state agency to becoming the CEO of Blackridge, one of Texas’s most re

S2E6 - Relationships and Dialogue with Troy Alexander

From compiling legislative clips to shaping health policy and leading professional associations, Troy Alexander has built a remarkable career in Texas state government. 

S2E5 - This is Where the Difference is Made with Brian Francis

On this lively episode of Cap Chat Texas, we welcome Brian Francis, an inspired and innovative public servant who has led three Texas state agencies. Brian offers an enga

S2E4 - Just Try with Legislative Aide Oliver Lehr

What’s it like to be a young staffer around the Capitol?   In this episode of Cap Chat Texas, we visit with Oliver Lehr, who’s spent time at the Capitol as a Senate mess

S2E3 - Chief of Stuff with Ricardo Lopez-Guerra

Before becoming a lobbyist, Ricardo Lopez-Guerra wore many hats at the Texas Capitol running campaigns, staffing committees, as a legislative aide in the Senate and Chief

S2E2 - The Night of The Unpleasantness with Robert Haney

In this episode, we continue our conversation with lobbyist and former Texas House Chief Clerk Robert Haney. Robert shares stories about the infamous “Night of Great Unp

S2E1 - From Ice Age to Space Age with Robert Haney

Cap Chat Texas returns for Season Two with an insightful conversation featuring Robert Haney, whose journey to the heart of Texas politics began by shagging golf balls. O

S1E14 - Driving Mr. Cornyn with JD Hale

When proud Texas Aggie JD Hale headed to Washington for an internship, he never imagined it would lead to a career lobbying for a major statewide trade association. In th

S1E13 - No Reason to be Rude with Kwame Walker

What started as a one-day stint as a House Sergeant turned into a lifelong career working. In this episode, former legislative aide and longtime lobbyist Kwame Walker sha

S1E12 - The Second One with Bob Garrett

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Garrett, the former longtime Capitol Bureau Chief for The Dallas Morning News. Bob shares his insights on the challenges of covering