On this episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Richard Murray breaks down the proposed Texas maps for the 2026 midterm elections with podcast host Dean Jim Granato. Murray explains what the newly drawn congressional districts mean for Texans and the balance of power in Congress, as well as the political party strategies and national-level implications. He also reflected on his decades-long career at the University of Houston and introduced listeners to his new newsletter, Letter from Texas, where he provides insights on the shifting demographics and the future of Republican dominance in the Lone Star State.

Richard Murray is a professor emeritus in the University of Houston Department of Political Science and a senior research fellow at the Hobby School.

Texas has emerged as a national leader in online privacy enforcement, securing historic settlements with Google and Meta aimed at curbing unlawful data collection. On this episode of Hobby Talks, Tyler Bridegan provided insights into the Lone Star State's comprehensive enforcement strategies and approach to enhancing consumer protections. Bridegan guided listeners through his path to public service, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, holding major technology companies accountable, and what's next for the broader privacy landscape in an evolving digital world.

Tyler Bridegan is the director of privacy and tech enforcement for the Texas Attorney General's office, where he oversees the implementation and enforcement of the state's slate of privacy and technology-related laws. Bridegan was at the University of Houston campus on Sept. 29, 2025, to deliver a lecture for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and the UH Law Center.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Philip Wallach examines the 119th Congress and the deepening polarization of the legislative branch. Wallach guides listeners through Congress's role as the Founders intended and how it has fulfilled that job differently throughout history, emphasizing its importance in shaping policy and maintaining a balance of power among the branches of government. He fast-forwards to today's leadership-driven institution, offering insight into its potential future and strategies to necessitate power sharing and a return to deliberation and bipartisan dealmaking.

Philip Wallach is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, where he studies America's separation of powers. He is the author of "Why Congress," a book on the necessity of a thriving Congress and how it can reassert its relevance.

Houston state lawmaker Lauren Ashley Simmons shares the latest developments at the Texas Capitol with Hobby Talks host Jim Granato. Rep. Simmons represents House District 146 in south and southwest Houston, including the historic Sunnyside neighborhood. She is serving her first term in the Texas House of Representatives. The union organizer and public education advocate discussed her upbringing, what drove her to run for public office and her office's policy priorities during the 2025 legislative session. Rep. Simmons gave insight into what Texans can expect from the Texas House floor and her advice for students interested in a public service career. She is on the House Committees on Appropriations and Public Health. Rep. Simmons also serves as the inaugural chair of the Texas Labor and Workforce Caucus.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, education policy expert Robert Pondiscio discusses the state of public education in Texas and across the country. Pondiscio takes listeners through the education reform landscape, reflecting on its history and fast-forwarding to today's most significant challenges. He shares insight into how his experience inside the classroom informs his perspective on championing meaningful change in an era of increasing choice. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato asks Pondiscio about the state's pivotal moment on school vouchers and the latest developments from Houston ISD under state-appointed leadership.

Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, where he studies K-12 education, school choice, teaching and civic education. He previously worked as an adviser and civics teacher at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Before that, he was in journalism for 20 years, holding senior positions at Time and BusinessWeek.

In the first Hobby Talks episode of 2025, Texas state Sen. Molly Cook shares her policy priorities during her first legislative session, from public education and reliable energy to expanding Medicare and other healthcare equity issues. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato asked the freshman state lawmaker what drove her to run for public office and how her work and background as an emergency room nurse and community organizer translate to her policy agenda at the Texas Capitol. Sen. Cook gave insight into what Texans can expect from the 89th Texas Legislature and her advice for students interested in a public service career.

Sen. Cook represents Senate District 15, which includes several of Houston’s well-known neighborhoods, including Montrose, The Heights, and Acres Homes, as well as suburban pockets of northwest and northeast Harris County. She won a special election and full term in 2024, filling a seat John Whitmire held for four decades before his run for mayor of Houston. Sen. Cook serves on the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services, Administration, and Local Government.

On the second episode of Hobby Talks, historians Don Carleton and Erin Purdy with the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin discuss the history and impact of Bill Hobby and the Hobby family on Texas. The authors of the biography "Bill Hobby: A Life of Journalism and Public Service" take listeners through extensive research and interviews to publication, sharing highlights from the biography of a legendary lieutenant governor. Hobby Talks host Jim Granato shares insights into how Hobby's approach to public policy and commitment to serving Texans lives on through the school's curriculum and training.

The inaugural episode of Hobby Talks features former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger discussing his public service career, the presidential election outcome and his hopeful vision for the future of America. The former Illinois congressman also shares how the 9/11 terrorist attacks stirred an urgent sense of duty and call to service, how he entered politics, his message to the political parties and his advice to the next generation of leaders eager to make a difference in their communities. Kinzinger was at the University of Houston on Nov. 13 to deliver a lecture on the state of American democracy for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership.