From the Strait of Hormuz to Pennsylvania

The Choice That Changed My Life

A single educational opportunity can change the course of a life.   Andrew Lewis sits down with two Pennsylvanians whose lives were transformed by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which is under attack by the Democrat majority in the state House of Representatives.    National champion wrestler Bo Bassett shares how EITC helped him find an environment where he could thrive—setting him on a path to Virginia Tech and international competition. Then, Soviet immigrant Kate Pukhovich reflects on growing up without educational or religious freedom and explains why EITC scholarships gave her daughter opportunities she never imagined possible.   As lawmakers debate the future of Pennsylvania's scholarship programs, these personal stories remind us that behind every policy are real families, real dreams, and life-changing opportunities.

Trust Parents, Not Bureaucracies

Pennsylvania spends nearly $24,000 per student each year, yet fewer than one-third of eighth graders are proficient in math and reading. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with State Rep. Joe D'Orsie and Empower Mississippi CEO Grant Callen to explore why more spending isn't translating into better results, and what can be done about it. They discuss school choice, Lifeline Scholarships, education savings accounts, cyber charters, and the growing movement to give parents more control over their children's education. They also examine Mississippi's remarkable academic turnaround and what Pennsylvania can learn from it. What we learn could reshape the future of education in Pennsylvania.

From Red Tape to Red Carpet

Pennsylvania state government has been notorious for red tape. Now lawmakers are working to roll out the red carpet to make the permitting process more efficient. Andrew Lewis sits down with Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill to discuss the surprising history of "red tape," the fight to reform Pennsylvania's permitting system, and the policies helping projects move faster without sacrificing accountability. It's a conversation about transparency, economic growth, and what happens when government starts serving the people instead of the process.

Can Pennsylvania Afford This Budget?

Pennsylvania is spending more than it takes in. What happens next? Andrew Lewis welcomes taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist to discuss the national tax landscape before turning to a pressing question closer to home: Can Pennsylvania sustain a budget that spends billions more than projected revenues? The conversation includes topics from state tax competition to government spending, school choice, and economic growth. This episode examines how policy decisions today will shape Pennsylvania's future for decades to come.

Don't California My Pennsylvania

What do California’s budget problems, homelessness crisis, and alleged welfare fraud scandals all have in common?  According to California Policy Center CEO Will Swaim, they’re the predictable result of government expansion without accountability. Andrew Lewis chats with Swaim and explores how California’s policies became a cautionary tale for the rest of the country.  After learning about the bad policies affecting California, Lewis then speaks with Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Leadbeter about how Pennsylvania can avoid the same fate.   The future of Pennsylvania depends on the choices made in Harrisburg right now.