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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.