In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Representative Gary VanDeaver (TX House District 1) to discuss the future of rural healthcare, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the heated debate over hemp-derived THC in Texas. VanDeaver, a retired educator and cattle rancher, shares his perspective on hospital closures, telemedicine, physician shortages, and policy battles shaping public health. From House Bill 18 on rural health stabilization to the controversy around THC regulation and opioid test strips, this conversation offers an inside look at the challenges and opportunities facing Texans today.
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Ep. 79 - Cody Vasut (HD-25)
In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Cody Vasut (HD-25) for an in-depth conversation about the most pressing issues facing Texas lawmakers. Vasut, Chair of the Redistricting Committee, breaks down the quorum standoff at the Capitol, why redistricting has become a national story, and how Texas maps compare to Democratic-led states.
The discussion also covers hemp-derived THC regulation, the fight over age limits and bans, and the balance between public health and personal freedom. Finally, Rep. Vasut dives into property tax reform—why Texans feel like they’re “renting from the state,” potential alternatives to the current system, and the long-term conservative goal of reducing or even eliminating property taxes.
This wide-ranging conversation gives listeners a candid look inside the Texas Legislature and the policy battles shaping the state’s future.
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Ep. 78 - Lloyd Potter (TX State Demographer)
In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter to explore the trends shaping Texas’s future. From population growth and migration patterns to slowing birth rates, infrastructure demands, and water security, Dr. Potter explains the demographic forces influencing policy, the economy, and everyday life in the Lone Star State. They also discuss the impact of urbanization, housing pressures, immigration shifts, and how Texas can plan ahead to maintain its quality of life.
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Hemp in Texas - Scott Gates on Agriculture, Policy, and the Future of Hemp
In this installment of Texas Talks Presents: Hemp in Texas, host Brad Swail speaks with Scott Gates—Law enforcement veteran, farmer, hemp industry advocate, and co-founder of Texas Hemp Growers—about the business, science, and politics shaping hemp’s future in the Lone Star State.
From soil health to small-town economies, Gates lays out how hemp isn’t just an agricultural product—it’s a path toward sustainable farming, rural revitalization, and consumer choice. He warns that the proposed SB5 hemp ban threatens not only businesses and jobs, but also the rights of Texans to choose safer alternatives to alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
Gates brings a unique blend of farmer’s pragmatism and legislative savvy, explaining what’s at stake for growers, manufacturers, and everyday Texans if the state outlaws hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Check out the rest of the Hemp in Texas series on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL52AXg4M428dkbHAHPN3L_EkibznzbR86
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Hemp in Texas - DA Sarah Stogner on Cannabis, Criminal Justice, and Corruption
In next installment of Texas Talks Presents: Hemp in Texas, host Brad Swail sits down with Sarah Stogner, the elected District Attorney for Texas’ 143rd Judicial District. Known for her unfiltered honesty and fierce independence, Stogner makes the legal case against SB5—the controversial bill to ban hemp-derived THC. She argues that the real threat to Texans isn’t hemp, but selective prosecution, government overreach, and bad lawmaking driven by special interests.
From generational alcohol abuse to the collapse of prosecutorial credibility in THC cases, this episode is a wake-up call from inside the justice system. Stogner says what others won’t: banning hemp won't protect children—it’ll destroy businesses, waste resources, and push more Texans into the black market.
Texas Talks with Brad Swail is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.
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