Texas leaders often celebrate the “Texas miracle.” But what does that promise mean for families struggling with housing costs, teachers seeking better support, or communities facing large data center developments?

State Rep. Vikki Goodwin joins Marc Istook to discuss her campaign against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the choices she believes will shape Texas’ future. A Dallas native serving her fourth term in the Texas House, Goodwin brings experience in education funding and residential real estate to a conversation about growth, affordability and government priorities.

Recorded October 23, 2026, this conversation covers:

01:15 — Voter enthusiasm and Texas’ political identity
Goodwin discusses election-season enthusiasm, the challenge of reaching people who rarely vote, and why she questions the perception of Texas as a uniformly Republican state.

04:29 — Who benefits from the “Texas miracle”?
What does a welcoming business climate deliver for the people already living and working here? Goodwin argues that economic growth should also be judged by workers’ pay and families’ quality of life.

05:34 — Property taxes and the state’s responsibility
Goodwin explains her argument that shifting costs from the state to local governments puts more pressure on property taxpayers, including through public-school funding.

07:21 — Fear-based campaigning versus everyday concerns
The conversation turns to political advertising and whether campaigns are addressing the issues voters raise most often: groceries, schools, healthcare and affordability.

08:16 — A report card on Texas public education
Marc asks Goodwin to grade Gov. Greg Abbott and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. She discusses teacher pay, class sizes, school funding and state takeovers.

11:02 — What happens outside the classroom matters
Marc and Goodwin explore how hunger, healthcare and family circumstances affect students’ ability to learn, and what responsibility state leaders have to address those conditions.

12:30 — School vouchers and accountability
Goodwin challenges the rationale for private-school vouchers and raises questions about transparency, who receives the benefits, and what the program means for public schools.

14:02 — Why data centers are drawing opposition
Drawing on conversations across Texas, Goodwin describes residents’ concerns about water, electricity, housing, noise and light pollution. Marc asks who ultimately benefits from these developments and who bears the costs.

17:40 — Affordability and the healthcare stories voters share
Goodwin recounts stories people have told her about insurance denials and discusses the difficulty of changing a healthcare system shaped by powerful interests.

19:39 — Starter homes, housing supply and construction workers
A residential real estate broker, Goodwin discusses duplexes and other housing options, barriers to building, and the connection between workforce availability and housing affordability.

21:08 — The disputed transgender resource mailers
Marc and Goodwin discuss mailers arriving at Texas households, questions about their origins, and Goodwin’s belief that they were intended to provoke fear ahead of the election. Who financed or directed the mailers had not been established at the time of recording.

24:30 — AI-generated political ads and public trust
The conversation closes with deepfake campaign advertising, Goodwin’s account of challenging ads targeting her, and the growing difficulty of knowing what to trust.

Guest information and resources

• Vikki Goodwin’s campaign website
• Goodwin’s public education platform
• Goodwin’s water and data center priorities
• Goodwin’s housing platform
• Texas Tribune reporting on the investigation into the disputed mailers

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Katie Dapkus: Viral Speech, AI Data Centers, and a Possible Run for Office

Who do elected officials really work for: the people who elect them or the corporations seeking to do business in their communities?

That's the question at the heart of a fiery speech delivered by Katie Dapkus at a city council meeting in Lexington, Kentucky. Her remarks opposing a proposed data center from developer DartPoints have since racked up tens of millions of views online, tapping into widespread frustration with corporate influence, artificial intelligence, and politicians who seem disconnected from the people they represent.

In this episode of More with Marc Istook, Katie joins Marc to discuss how she became involved in the fight against data centers, why the issue has brought people together across political lines, and what her experience has taught her about grassroots organizing and government accountability.

Their conversation explores concerns about electricity and water consumption, environmental impacts, utility costs, tax incentives, and whether communities genuinely benefit from these enormous infrastructure investments. They also discuss the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, its potential effect on jobs, privacy and surveillance, and whether governments are doing enough to protect the public.

Katie shares some surprising behind-the-scenes details, including how she wrote her now-famous speech in just ten minutes after an unexpected change of plans. She also recounts a troubling exchange she says she had with a local elected official and explains why the public response to her speech has inspired her to consider running for office herself.

It's a conversation about much more than data centers. It's about community, corporate power, civic engagement, and the fundamental responsibility of elected officials to listen to the people they serve.

Episode chapters

00:00 – Katie's viral speech: "Out-of-state developers are not your constituents"

01:11 – Watch Katie's full Lexington City Council speech

03:15 – Why her message resonated with millions of Americans

04:54 – How Katie became involved in the fight against data centers

06:19 – Environmental concerns, energy demands, and the rapid expansion of AI

08:03 – The developer behind Lexington's proposed data center

08:41 – Why Katie believes the fight is bringing people together across political lines

09:32 – Why her speech has given people hope

10:53 – Corporate influence and frustration with elected officials

12:18 – AI, the future of jobs, and the possibility of a technology bubble

14:32 – The rewards and challenges of grassroots organizing

15:15 – Katie's surprising account of a conversation with a city council member

16:14 – Katie's background and her approach to community wellness

18:32 – Could Katie run for political office?

21:40 – How Lexington's elected officials have responded

23:22 – How she wrote her viral speech in just ten minutes

24:41 – Advice for communities facing proposed data centers

25:31 – Lexington's moratorium and what comes next

Key topics

• The proposed DartPoints data center in Lexington, Kentucky
• Grassroots opposition to data center development
• Artificial intelligence, energy demands, water consumption, and environmental concerns
• Corporate influence and political accountability
• Bipartisan frustration with government representation
• AI regulation, surveillance, privacy, and potential job displacement
• The power of viral moments to inspire civic engagement
• Katie's possible future in politics
• Lexington's data center moratorium and proposed zoning restrictions

Resources and additional information

• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government: Data Center Public Engagement
• DartPoints: Data Center Developer
• More with Marc Istook on YouTube
• Marc Istook's website

More with Marc Istook brings you conversations, context, and clarity on the stories and issues shaping our world.

Because there's always more to the story.

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Democracy rarely disappears all at once. It erodes through attacks on truth, the weakening of institutions, the spread of fear, and the silence of ordinary people who believe their individual choices do not matter.

Melissa Dalton-Bradford has spent 18 years living in German-speaking countries, where the legacy of authoritarianism is never far from the surface. In this conversation, she explains why history does not repeat itself but often rhymes, and why recognizing those patterns requires both urgency and care.

Melissa draws on the work of political philosopher Hannah Arendt to examine the “banality of evil,” the danger of losing our ability to distinguish fact from fiction, and the complicity of those who simply go along. She and Marc discuss why speaking up can carry a real social and professional cost, especially when political divisions reach into our families, friendships, and communities.

But this conversation is not simply a warning. Melissa’s book pairs 11 hallmarks of authoritarianism with specific action plans for people who have a few minutes, a few hours, or an ongoing commitment to give. Her message is direct: action dispels despair.

They also explore how to talk with people across political divides, why questions can be more effective than accusations, and how language built around liberty, accountability, safety, and constitutional government can create common ground. Melissa argues that rebuilding democracy begins by rebuilding the “we,” finding people with whom we can act, and refusing the isolation on which fear depends.

The conversation also examines online radicalization, the vulnerability of young people growing up in algorithm-driven communities, the network of powerful figures surrounding Donald Trump, and the difference between genuine moral strength and the performance of a political strongman.

Ultimately, Melissa believes defending democracy is not a partisan project. It belongs to anyone who values truth, human dignity, constitutional government, and the responsibility to leave something better for the generations that follow.

Timestamps

00:00 - Hannah Arendt and the ideal subject of totalitarianism 01:42 - Marc’s conversation with Melissa begins 04:00 - The moment Melissa decided she could no longer remain silent 07:13 - Why comparisons to Nazi Germany require historical care 12:51 - What surprised Melissa about Donald Trump’s two elections 15:01 - The Oval Office confrontation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy 17:45 - Hannah Arendt, Adolf Eichmann, and the banality of evil 20:06 - Why silence can become complicity 23:16 - The personal cost of speaking up 25:17 - Why an assault on truth is the foundation of authoritarianism 27:31 - Finding language that can reach people across political divides 30:44 - Practical action plans and why action dispels despair 34:02 - How fear, isolation, and polarization reinforce one another 36:32 - Social media, young people, and online radicalization 40:00 - Project 2025 and the network of power surrounding Donald Trump 45:14 - The insecurity behind the strongman image 47:42 - Why the real divide is democracy versus the absence of democracy 48:32 - What the V-Dem Institute says about American democracy 51:07 - Rebuilding the “we” and finding hope through action

Resources and Links

• • How to Save Democracy: The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook by Melissa Dalton-Bradford
  • Melissa Dalton-Bradford’s newsletter
  • Melissa Dalton-Bradford on YouTube
  • Melissa on Instagram, @mdbglobalmom
  • V-Dem Institute’s 2026 Democracy Report
  • The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
  • Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt
  • Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
  • The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
  • Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership
  • Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the “stone of hope”

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Dr. Jessica Hawk spent 32 years in public education before retiring from the classroom and becoming a full-time content creator. Known online as @MyTeacherFace, she now uses humor, experience, and a growing social-media platform to speak candidly about the challenges facing teachers and public schools.

Jessica joins Marc to explain why she misses her students but not the stress, unpaid labor, and expanding responsibilities that came with the job. She describes the “time poverty” teachers experience as new obligations are continually added without additional time or compensation, and she explains why good administrators can determine whether a teacher builds a long career or leaves after only a few years.

The conversation also examines the transformation Jessica witnessed after smartphones and social media entered the classroom. Students became more isolated, less willing to participate, and increasingly eager to retreat to their screens. Jessica and Marc discuss phone-free schools, parental resistance to device restrictions, the role of technology in emergencies, and the importance of giving children opportunities to interact with one another in person.

They also explore the growing political pressure on public education, the relationship between school funding and student outcomes, the limitations of standardized testing, and the danger of expecting teachers to solve problems rooted in poverty, housing instability, hunger, and family circumstances.

Finally, Jessica explains why children need a foundation of knowledge and critical-thinking skills before turning to artificial intelligence. She shares her concerns about excessive classroom technology, her support for universal pre-K and equitable school funding, and the freedom she has found as an “unfettered teacher” who can now say publicly what many working educators cannot.

Timestamps

00:00 - Why teachers have become society’s soft target
00:31 - Introducing Dr. Jessica Hawk of My Teacher Face
01:25 - The strange intimacy between creators and their audiences
02:18 - Retiring after 32 years in public education
02:40 - What Jessica misses about the classroom
03:54 - The story behind the My Teacher Face persona
06:02 - What coaching fourth graders taught Marc about teaching
06:56 - Managing 150 students with different needs and abilities
08:03 - Teacher “time poverty” and the job that grew tentacles
08:40 - How much Jessica’s doctorate added to her paycheck
09:09 - Teacher shortages, micromanagement, and scripted curricula
09:41 - Jessica’s cautious advice for aspiring teachers
10:39 - How she knew it was time to retire
12:43 - Losing an identity and beginning the farewell tour
13:05 - Why Jessica encourages some young teachers to leave
15:03 - Criticizing teachers while remembering the teachers who changed us
16:42 - How educators become targets of political accusations
17:59 - The change Jessica noticed when smartphones entered the classroom
19:06 - Why children seem more isolated and reluctant to participate
20:23 - Phone-free schools and parental resistance
21:08 - Why phones can become dangerous during school emergencies
23:51 - The importance of administrators who support their teachers
25:41 - What children can learn from having a teacher they do not like
28:02 - Is there a coordinated effort against public education?
30:00 - Why public education is essential to democracy
31:09 - The connection between wealth, school funding, and opportunity
32:46 - Why schools cannot solve poverty by themselves
34:30 - Teachers as the easiest people to blame
36:04 - Why education is a public good, even for people without children
38:32 - Universal pre-K and helping children before they fall behind
38:54 - Why Jessica has always voted for school funding
39:56 - The human cost of education and the temptation to replace teachers
41:30 - AI, critical thinking, and the need for foundational knowledge
43:13 - From classroom teacher to online education advocate
45:10 - Finding her political voice after retirement
46:04 - The one change Jessica would make to public education
46:59 - How universal pre-K could help level the playing field

Connect with Jessica Hawk

Follow My Teacher Face on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or find all of Jessica’s current links on her official Linktree.

Resources mentioned

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
• Bluebonnet Learning materials from the Texas Education Agency

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Dave Holmes became one of the most recognizable faces on MTV after losing the network’s Wanna Be a VJ competition to Jesse Camp. But losing the contest was only the beginning.

In this episode, Dave explains why he entered the competition without expecting to appear on television, much less begin an entirely new career. He remembers recognizing that Jesse would probably win and deciding that his own goal should be to “lose well,” meet the right people and find another way into the building.

That opportunity did not happen automatically. Dave left the wrap party with a stack of business cards and one thought: “They will forget if you let them forget.” He began calling MTV executives at 9:01 the following Monday morning, landed meetings and eventually turned a writing opportunity into an on-camera role.

Dave and Marc also compare their experiences in traditional television and examine how dramatically the media business has changed. They discuss the decline of the professional television host, the increasing demand for established celebrities, the return of live programming and the creative freedom offered by social media and independent publishing.

Later, the conversation turns to political and cultural commentary. Dave explains why he has stopped watching programs that make him feel like he is “being yelled at by someone I agree with,” and why he tries to approach difficult subjects with humor and perspective. He also shares how growing up in a conservative family influences the way he communicates, especially when he asks himself how he would explain an issue to his mother.

Timestamps

00:00 - Cold open: Making things without waiting for permission 00:35 - Introducing Dave Holmes 01:41 - Dave and Marc begin their first conversation 02:52 - Reinventing yourself as the media landscape changes 04:29 - Overcoming the instinct to ask a gatekeeper for permission 06:34 - How MTV’s controlled chaos prepared Dave for social media 07:57 - Leaving advertising and auditioning for MTV 10:24 - Recognizing that Jesse Camp would win and deciding to “lose well” 12:10 - “They will forget if you let them forget” 15:17 - Believing creative careers were meant for other people 18:08 - Knowing an MTV career could only last so long 19:36 - How celebrity casting changed the professional-host business 24:35 - Looking back at MTV footage and interviewing Joe Strummer 27:14 - Leaving office life and arriving at the MTV Beach House 29:15 - Why Dave loved loosely structured live television 31:20 - The live comedy game show Dave still hopes to revive 32:37 - Celebrity Says and the TV Guide Network scroll 33:27 - Tom Hanks repeatedly making the same joke 34:08 - The possible return of live entertainment 35:16 - Marc’s social-media breakthrough after the Kendrick Lamar halftime show 36:57 - Using massive platforms as a force for good 37:27 - Being “yelled at by someone I agree with” 38:48 - How Twitter became “a trash can that’s on fire” 40:35 - Writers, influencers and a camera-equipped Dyson toothbrush 42:33 - The challenge of working with brands without feeling inauthentic 44:07 - What happens when creative experimentation becomes a source of income 44:51 - Substack and the value of supporting independent voices 47:27 - Dave’s off-the-cuff process for making social videos 49:31 - How Dave’s conservative family shapes his political commentary 50:48 - Asking, “How would I make this make sense to Mom?” 52:43 - Where to follow Dave, including his memorable TikTok username

Resources and links

• Dave Holmes on Instagram
• Cocksure, Dave’s Substack
• Dave’s writing for Esquire
• Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs

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Few reporters know the Dallas Cowboys better than Ed Werder.

The veteran NFL insider joins Marc for a candid conversation about the Cowboys’ three-decade absence from the NFC Championship Game, whether this year’s team can finally change the story and why Ed believes Dallas could finish 11-6.

The offense, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, should be capable of competing with almost anyone. The defense is another matter. Ed explains what new defensive coordinator Christian Parker inherits, what veterans like Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary and Von Miller could bring, and why the Cowboys’ weaknesses along both edges of the line give him pause.

But this conversation goes beyond schemes and personnel. Marc and Ed examine the culture Jerry Jones has created, the accountability problems that have followed the team since Jimmy Johnson left and whether Cowboys players receive the rewards of winning without actually having to win. Ed also explains why this offseason may represent a meaningful change in the way Jerry and Stephen Jones allow their coaches to operate.

Then the conversation turns to Ed’s remarkable career. He reflects on covering 32 Super Bowls, watching John Elway engineer “The Drive,” walking off the field with Troy Aikman after a championship and missing his brother’s wedding for his first Super Bowl assignment.

Ed and Marc also discuss the changing sports-media business, ESPN’s growing emphasis on opinions and personalities, and why reporting from locker rooms and sidelines still produces insight that can’t be replicated from a studio.

And yes, despite 30 years of evidence to the contrary, hope remains.

This is our year. Right?

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 - Cold open: Is this finally the Cowboys’ year? 00:42 - Meet longtime NFL insider Ed Werder 01:18 - “Experienced” is the preferred term 01:27 - Late Cowboys games and very early mornings at WFAA 03:33 - Why the Cowboys remain the best soap opera in sports 03:52 - The defense that could determine Dallas’ season 06:43 - Can the Cowboys catch the Eagles in the NFC East? 07:25 - Why nothing Dallas does matters until January 08:20 - What it was like covering the Cowboys’ Super Bowl dynasty 10:17 - Why moving to Dallas changed Ed’s career 11:35 - The remarkable statistic behind the Cowboys’ postseason drought 12:03 - Thirty years later, Cowboys fans are still drinking the Kool-Aid 13:12 - Dak Prescott’s historic challenge entering Year 11 14:22 - Are Dak Prescott and Tony Romo responsible for the playoff failures? 15:49 - Why Ed calls it an organizational failure 17:30 - Do Cowboys players receive the rewards of winning without winning? 18:02 - How former Cowboys stars view the current generation 20:28 - Accountability, the head coach and Jerry Jones’ influence 23:14 - Why this offseason may signal a real change in Dallas 25:15 - Reasons for optimism about this year’s roster 27:26 - Caleb Downs, Von Miller and the rebuilt Cowboys defense 29:48 - Ed predicts the Cowboys’ opener against the Giants 31:04 - The preparation behind Ed’s remarkable recall of NFL statistics 32:44 - Ed’s season prediction: 11-6 34:01 - Why nobody really knows what the new defense will look like 35:29 - The variables that make NFL predictions nearly impossible 37:19 - Is Ed having as much fun as ever? 37:46 - Reflecting on 32 Super Bowls and a remarkable career 38:32 - Why Ed believes sports media is moving in the wrong direction 39:06 - ESPN, influencers and the decline of traditional sports reporting 40:30 - How audiences influence the coverage they receive 41:21 - What reporters learn beyond the televised soundbite 42:27 - Breaking news is only a sentence. Context tells the story. 43:53 - What Ed’s younger self would think of his career 45:03 - Watching Super Bowl III from a hotel outside the blackout zone 45:51 - The first grader who already knew what he wanted to do 46:35 - John Elway, “The Drive” and the wedding Ed chose to miss 47:29 - Covering Troy Aikman, Drew Brees, Brett Favre and other NFL greats 49:55 - Seeing the speed and violence of professional football from the field 51:37 - Where to find Ed’s Cowboys coverage 53:17 - One last question: Were we recording?

MORE FROM ED WERDER

Follow Ed on X: @WerderEdNFL

Listen to Ed and Matt Mosley on The Doomsday Podcast

MORE WITH MARC ISTOOK

More with Marc Istook brings you conversations, context and clarity, from behind-the-scenes stories with actors and athletes to expert perspectives on the issues affecting your everyday life.

Because there’s always more to the story.

Watch full episodes: YouTube

Follow Marc:

Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Threads

Read more: More with Marc Istook on Substack

Website: MarcIstook.com

Contact: [email protected]

Find More with Marc Istook wherever you get your podcasts.

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Attorney Mark Lyda has built a rapidly growing social media audience by doing something deceptively simple: reading the law, digging into the details, and explaining what they actually mean.

In this episode of MORE with Marc Istook, Marc (Istook) talks with Mark (Lyda) about his unexpected evolution from practicing attorney to online legal commentator - and why he believes social media has become an important place for serious conversations about law, politics and democracy.

They dig into the challenge of creating thoughtful content in a medium that rewards speed and outrage, why Mark says he normally wouldn’t even discuss politics “in polite company,” and what finally convinced him that staying quiet wasn’t an option.

Then they turn to some of the biggest legal questions surrounding the Trump administration, including the SAVE America Act, immigration enforcement, executive power, birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court and what Mark sees as weaknesses being exposed in America’s legal and political systems.

Marc also reconnects with Mark for a special follow-up conversation after a new Supreme Court ruling involving President Trump’s executive order targeting mail-in voting. Mark explains why the Court’s decision did not declare the order constitutional, why litigation over it remains unresolved, and why he believes the uncertainty could create significant problems ahead of the midterm elections.

In this episode:

00:00 - Cold open: “They rule it’s illegal... but we’re going to let it proceed?” 00:32 - Introduction to Mark Lyda 02:03 - From practicing attorney to social media creator 05:29 - How Mark scripts and researches his videos 06:05 - How long a one-minute video can actually take 07:14 - The “psychological gauntlet” of creating content online 08:55 - Social media as a new way people consume news and information 10:17 - What would Walter Cronkite be doing today? 11:22 - Why the quality of information matters more than the platform 12:41 - Covering politics when the news feels like “drinking from a fire hose” 13:11 - The SAVE America Act and ICE push Mark into political commentary 15:11 - “You would have done what you’re doing now” 16:15 - Why major stories can disappear amid the constant flood of news 17:26 - What happens when legal guardrails stop working? 18:13 - Trump as a stress test for weaknesses in the legal system 19:43 - Finding stories worth digging into 20:46 - The SAVE America Act and “visions of Saddam Hussein’s elections” 21:16 - Why Mark doesn’t want to make the 100-millionth “Trump is bad” video 23:08 - Giving people useful facts they can carry into real-world conversations 24:47 - Can confidence in the rule of law be repaired? 25:11 - Why Mark says the Supreme Court is legitimate - even when its decisions are deeply troubling 26:13 - The structural reforms he believes government needs 27:23 - Should Democrats use the same expansive executive powers if they regain control? 28:54 - The Trump action Mark considers most clearly unconstitutional 29:09 - Birthright citizenship and the Constitution 30:02 - Why the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling was more complicated than 6-3 33:44 - Supreme Court ethics and structural reform 35:16 - What bothers Mark most about the Trump presidency: “It’s the brutality” 36:17 - Stephen Miller, political power and “an unholy mix” 36:56 - Government dysfunction, institutions and the normalization of bigotry 38:49 - Racism becoming more openly expressed

BONUS: Supreme Court ruling on mail-in voting

39:19 - Breaking-news addendum begins 39:54 - What exactly did the Supreme Court decide? 40:21 - “They ruled it illegal... but we’re going to let it proceed?” 41:08 - What Trump’s executive order actually does 42:32 - Threatening state election officials with prosecution 43:20 - When does the constitutional harm actually occur? 44:01 - Why the appeals process may not finish before the midterms 44:28 - Could this inject chaos into the November election? 45:07 - The legal catch-22: sue too early, then potentially too late 45:33 - Mark’s prediction: “There is a guarantee that it will muck up the works” 46:56 - What disruption could mean for states heavily reliant on mail voting 48:01 - How problems at the margins could affect close races 49:19 - Could changes to mail voting disproportionately affect Democrats? 49:50 - Trump himself votes by mail 50:02 - Could discretion over mailed ballots create unequal treatment? 52:29 - False positives in federal voter-eligibility databases 53:06 - “Please tell me it’s going to be okay, Mark” 53:23 - Mark’s answer: turnout matters 53:38 - “Vote early and vote often.” “No!”

Follow Marc:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcistook
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcistook
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marcistook
Substack: https://morewithmarcistook.substack.com
Website: https://www.marcistook.com

Find more episodes of MORE, with Marc Istook wherever you get your podcasts.

Conversations. Context. Clarity. Because there’s always more to the story.

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For more than two decades, Trey Wingo was one of the most recognizable faces and voices at ESPN, anchoring SportsCenter, hosting NFL Live and covering everything from the NFL Draft to major golf championships.

Now, he’s doing things on his own terms.

In the inaugural episode of the revamped More with Marc Istook, Trey joins Marc for a wide-ranging conversation about ESPN’s heyday, the changing sports-media landscape, why he has little interest in manufactured hot takes, and what he enjoys about building an independent media business.

They also revisit some of the defining moments of Trey’s ESPN career, including helping turn NFL Live from an afterthought into appointment television, hosting the unprecedented 2020 NFL Draft during COVID, and anchoring SportsCenter alongside Bob Ley in the days after September 11.

And yes, Trey also explains why he is definitely not Mike Tirico.

In this episode:

00:00 - Trey Wingo is not Mike Tirico 00:31 - Welcome to the revamped More with Marc Istook 01:16 - Why Marc and Trey had to record the entire interview twice 03:00 - The surprisingly small world of sports broadcasting 04:21 - Trey’s Texas roots, Baylor and some very deep Fort Worth references 06:24 - What the iconic ESPN sound still means to Trey 09:12 - When ESPN was the common language of sports fans 10:25 - Trey’s dream of working at ESPN and realizing how big it had become 12:43 - Why sports television feels different today 13:38 - Trey on ESPN now: “We take ourselves very seriously, and if there’s time we’ll talk about sports” 14:36 - Why Trey wants to know what analysts know, not just what they think 17:11 - “No bits, no bullshit, just ball” and the freedom of independent media 18:34 - What great sports television used to get right 21:04 - How Overreaction Monday started 21:41 - Why Trey refused to bury Tom Brady and Bill Belichick 24:35 - What made Bill Belichick such an adaptable coach 27:14 - Dale Hansen’s influence on Trey as a broadcaster and storyteller 29:34 - The strangest cases of mistaken identity in Trey’s career 32:19 - Trey’s biggest “pinch me” moments at ESPN 33:30 - How NFL Live became appointment viewing 34:17 - Hosting the historic 2020 NFL Draft essentially alone in the studio 36:08 - Anchoring SportsCenter after 9/11 and why Bob Ley changed Trey’s mind about going on the air 39:31 - Life after ESPN 40:03 - Why Trey says he’s having a blast now 41:27 - Golf, football and the freedom to cover only what he actually cares about 42:51 - Building the Wingo Network and moving from cable to YouTube 43:50 - Why authenticity is at the center of Trey’s new work 45:42 - How sports betting changed the sports-media business 49:03 - Why Trey has become more willing to speak out online 49:30 - “I hate politics. But I don’t like people lying.” 50:31 - Final thoughts and the legend of the lost first recording

More from Trey Wingo

You can find Trey’s latest work across The Wingo Network, including:

• Trey Wingo Presents on YouTube
• Trey Wingo Golf on YouTube
• Inside Football on YouTube
• The Wingo Network on your favorite audio podcast platform

Trey also hosts Golf Live with Justin Ray, breaking down the biggest stories and developments from the world of golf.

Follow Trey on social media for more sports analysis, commentary and updates on his latest projects.

More with Marc Istook

More with Marc Istook brings you conversations, context and clarity - from behind-the-scenes stories with actors and athletes to expert perspectives on the issues affecting your everyday life.

Because there’s always more to the story.

Watch full episodes: YouTube
Follow Marc: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Threads
More: morewithmarcistook.substack.com

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A new name. A broader focus. The same curiosity.

In this short announcement, Marc shares why "Dream Job" is evolving into "More with Marc Istook." The show will continue going behind the scenes with interesting people from sports, entertainment and media, while also featuring experts and newsmakers who bring greater perspective and insight to the issues that affect us every day.

Conversations. Context. Clarity.

Because there’s always more to the story.

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What does it take to build a professional sports franchise around one of America’s oldest and most dangerous competitions?

In this episode of Dream Job, Marc Istook sits down with Chad Blankenship, President and General Manager of the Texas Rattlers, to explore the evolution of professional bull riding and the remarkable career path that prepared Chad to help lead it.

Chad explains how the PBR Teams league took a traditionally individual sport and added the hometown loyalty, shared responsibility, rivalries, and season-long storylines that make team sports so compelling. He also breaks down what fans experience at a live event, from world-class riders and bulls to music, lights, pyrotechnics, and a carefully designed pace that keeps the entire arena engaged.

The conversation expands into the resurgence of Western culture across sports, television, music, and fashion. Chad discusses why values such as perseverance, self-reliance, community, and respect for the land continue to resonate with modern audiences.

Then Marc and Chad retrace a career journey that was anything but predictable. Chad shares stories from his early years in advertising, being laid off from one of the world’s most prestigious agencies, working on New York City’s bid for the 2012 Olympics, spending seven years at ESPN, launching a television network with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and helping create the PBR Teams league.

He also recounts leaving his career behind for nearly a year to travel through China, Tibet, Nepal, and Thailand, including trekking to Everest Base Camp and unexpectedly taking a job at a resort on a Thai island.

The episode concludes with a conversation about failure, personal responsibility, community, and one of Chad’s most enduring life lessons: wherever you go, you remain the same person. The real opportunity is learning to be fully present and make the most of where you are now.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Meet Chad Blankenship, President and GM of the Texas Rattlers
• 01:53 - How professional bull riding and the PBR Teams league work
• 04:12 - What it feels like to experience a Rattlers event in person
• 04:56 - The difference between traditional rodeo and PBR
• 07:30 - Building a fast-paced entertainment experience around eight-second rides
• 09:00 - Fan service, live sports, and the Savannah Bananas comparison
• 11:38 - Commercial breaks and the pace-of-play problem in American sports
• 15:49 - Why the young PBR Teams league has so much potential
• 16:39 - What team competition adds to an individual sport
• 19:17 - How teammates change the experience for bull riders
• 20:22 - Why Western culture is having a major resurgence
• 24:44 - The influence of Yellowstone, country music, fashion, and pop culture
• 26:23 - Chad’s unconventional career journey begins
• 27:18 - Growing up in Oklahoma and studying marketing at OU
• 28:02 - His first advertising job at The Richards Group
• 30:40 - Getting recruited by Wieden+Kennedy
• 32:54 - Losing his job and learning an early career lesson
• 35:35 - Moving to Los Angeles and finding a community of creators
• 39:36 - Leaving work behind to travel through Asia
• 40:46 - Trekking to Everest Base Camp from Tibet and Nepal
• 42:05 - An unexpected job opportunity at a resort in Thailand
• 44:53 - Joining New York City’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games
• 47:01 - How sports can inspire social and personal change
• 48:40 - Why losing can sometimes be more valuable than winning
• 50:21 - Taking ownership of failure and deciding what comes next
• 51:13 - Seven years at ESPN and earning a “sports business MBA”
• 53:02 - Launching El Rey Network with Robert Rodriguez
• 54:17 - Working with Richard Branson’s Virgin Sport
• 54:50 - Joining PBR with little background in Western sports
• 56:01 - Launching a streaming platform and helping create PBR Teams
• 57:03 - Becoming President and GM of the Texas Rattlers
• 58:28 - Winning the 2023 PBR Teams Championship
• 59:24 - Why Chad and his family fell in love with Fort Worth
• 1:02:23 - The biggest lesson from Chad’s travels and career
• 1:05:23 - Final thoughts and an invitation to experience Rattler Days

Links and Resources

• Ariat Texas Rattlers official website
• 2026 Rattler Days at Dickies Arena - October 2-4
• Texas Rattlers on Instagram
• Texas Rattlers on Facebook
• Professional Bull Riders
• Connect with Chad Blankenship on LinkedIn
• Dream Job on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Marc

• Website: MarcIstook.com
• Instagram: @MarcIstook
• YouTube: @MarcIstook
• Facebook: MarcIstookTV
• TikTok: @MarcIstook
• Substack: More, with Marc Istook
• Contact: [email protected]

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The Quiet Dismantling of Texas Public Schools, with Dan Dawer

Texas has taken over more school districts than any other state in the country, and a majority of those takeovers have happened in the last ten years under Governor Greg Abbott and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The official story is accountability. The real story, according to this week's guest, is the construction of an entirely new model for public education in Texas, one designed to be cheaper, more regimented, and built on a workforce of uncertified, inexperienced teachers reading from scripted curriculum.

Marc sits down with Dan Dawer, a former classroom teacher of 11 years and a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, whose dissertation research has put him on the ground inside the Houston ISD takeover for nearly four years. Dan has interviewed close to 140 stakeholders across the district and has emerged with one of the most comprehensive views of what state takeovers actually do to communities, students, and teachers.

This conversation covers:

. Why the research overwhelmingly shows takeovers do not improve student outcomes, and which communities they disproportionately target . The shift from "conservative" takeovers (designed to restore districts) to "activist" takeovers (designed to rebuild them into something new) . How Houston's reported test score improvements may be driven by changes to the pool of test takers, not actual learning gains (including a 24% drop in 8th grade Algebra 1 enrollment and a 15% drop in Biology end-of-course test takers) . The financial throughline connecting property tax elimination, the absence of a state income tax, and the budget pressure to make public education cheaper . Why a Pennsylvania billionaire would care about Texas school board elections . The reality of the voucher program: most applicants were already enrolled in private school, and tuition routinely exceeds the $10,000 award . The teacher pipeline crisis (45% of Houston ISD's teaching workforce now has between 0 and 3 years of experience, and a majority of new hires statewide are uncertified) . The AI-in-the-classroom question, and why Dan worries about cognitive offloading and the erosion of professional teaching knowledge . An honest assessment of Mike Morath's ten years as Education Commissioner . Why the A-F school rating system is more variable than parents realize, and what families should actually be looking at . The toll road analogy that explains vouchers better than any political talking point

If you care about public education, your property taxes, your kids' classrooms, or the long-term direction of this state, this is the conversation. Dan brings the data. We dig into what it actually means.

Recommended reading from this episode: Takeover: Race, Education, and Democracy in America by Domingo Morel.

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