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You Might Be Right

by Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at University of Tennessee · English · News

Former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam bring their perspectives to some of the country’s most challenging public policy questions, joined by expert guests with a range of viewpoints. In Season 9, they turn their attention to issues shaping the national conversation ahead of the mid

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 53 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 53 minNew

How will populism impact the midterms? – with Patrick Ruffini and Ruy Teixeira

Issues like affordability, AI, and immigration are fueling populist sentiments across the political spectrum. In this episode, Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Patrick Ruffini, a Republican pollster and a founding partner at Echelon Insights, and Ruy Teixeira, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss how Republicans and Democrats are recalibrating their strategies and party platforms to resonate with voters' concerns. Is populism on the left and right being driven by the same concerns? What do these shifts mean for the upcoming midterm elections?

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S9 · E60 · 1 Oct 2026 · 54 min
Are We Really Experiencing an Affordability Crisis? – with Michael Strain and Jason Furman
Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard and former chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, to discuss the defining issue of the 2026 midterms: the rising cost of living. Are we really in the middle of an affordability crisis? If so, what can the government do about it?
S9 · E59 · 17 Sep 2026 · 52 min
Will Redistricting Shape the Midterms? - with Jonathan Rodden and Sam Wang
What does it mean for voters when the politicians get to choose their constituents, instead of the other way around? In this episode, Governors Haslam and Bredesen pull back the curtain on redistricting and gerrymandering, the once-obscure process now at the center of America’s fiercest political battles. The Governors speak with Jonathan Rodden, professor of political science at Stanford University, and Sam Wang, founder and director of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project and the Electoral Innovation Lab, about fair maps, how the newly drawn district lines might impact this midterm…
S9 · E58 · 5 Sep 2026 · 26 min
What Dolly Parton Taught Us About Common Ground
In this special episode, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam share personal stories about Dolly Parton and reflect on her life and legacy. Dolly had a remarkable ability to take stands, support causes, and use her influence without allowing herself to be pulled into partisan politics. What does it take to maintain the kind of universal appeal Dolly had? What can we learn from her approach?
S9 · E57 · 3 Sep 2026 · 56 min
Can We Trust What the Polls Say About the 2026 Midterms? – with Kristen Soltis Anderson and Anna Greenberg
Leading pollsters Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican, and Anna Greenberg, a Democrat, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to open a new season of "You Might Be Right." In this episode, the Governors and their guests discuss the state of polling and the mood of the electorate heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
S9 · E56 · 25 Aug 2026 · 3 min
Introducing "You Might Be Right" Season 9
From redistricting to affordability, we’re diving into the issues defining the midterm elections in a new season of "You Might be Right." On Sept. 3, the Season 9 opens with an episode that features former governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam in conversation with Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson and Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg about what voters are really thinking heading into November. Make sure you’re subscribed and follow along so you don’t miss new episodes, dropping every other week.
S8 · E56 · 21 May 2026 · 53 min
Should Taxpayers Pay for R&D? – with Jeffrey Miron and Aldo Musacchio
From the internet and GPS to vaccines and artificial intelligence, federal research funding has helped shape modern life, but should government still play such a large role in innovation? Jeffrey Miron, VP for Research at the Cato Institute and Economics Lecturer at Harvard, and Aldo Musacchio, Professor of Management and Economics at Brandeis, join Governors Haslam and Bredesen to debate whether taxpayer-funded research still makes sense in a world increasingly driven by private capital.
S8 · E55 · 7 May 2026 · 55 min
Who Should Regulate AI? – with Kristian Stout and Bruce Schneier
AI is already reshaping everyday life, but the rules governing it are still up for debate. Kristian Stout, Director of Innovation Policy at the International Center for Law & Economics, and Bruce Schneier, security technologist and author, join Governors Haslam and Bredesen to explore whether AI regulation should come from the market, the states, or the federal government.
S8 · E54 · 23 Apr 2026 · 53 min
Should Federal Dollars Come with Strings Attached? – with Mitch Daniels & Elena Patel
As billions of federal dollars flow through state budgets, who should decide how that money gets spent? Former IN Governor & OMB Director Mitch Daniels and Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center co-director Elena Patel join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to unpack the balance between federal priorities and state flexibility, and what it means for taxpayers.
S8 · E53 · 9 Apr 2026 · 53 min
Is there too much money in politics? – with Larry Lessig and Brad Smith
Ahead of the fall midterms, Larry Lessig, a professor at Harvard Law School, and Brad Smith, former chair of the Federal Election Commission and a professor at Capital University Law School, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to examine the campaign finance system driving election spending. Political spending enables expression and participation – but at what cost?
S8 · E52 · 26 Mar 2026 · 52 min
Can the President do that? – with Jack Goldsmith and Ilya Shapiro
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?
S8 · E51 · 10 Mar 2026 · 59 min
When and How Should the National Guard be Deployed? – with Rosa Brooks and John Yoo
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.
4 Mar 2026 · 1 min
Introducing "You Might Be Right"
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.
S7 · E50 · 2 Dec 2025 · 32 min
A Baker's Dozen - Howard Baker's 1998 Senate Address
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.
S7 · E49 · 11 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Would Howard Baker Have a Place in Today's Politics? – with Tom Daschle and Ben Sasse
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.
S7 · E48 · 28 Oct 2025 · 52 min
What Do Universities Owe Society? – with Ron Daniels
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…
S7 · E47 · 14 Oct 2025 · 56 min
Is the Federal Reserve Doing Its Job? – with Austan Goolsbee and Charles Calomiris
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.
S7 · E46 · 2 Oct 2025 · 55 min
If the Economy is Up, Why do Americans Feel Down? – with Whit Ayres, John Lettieri, and Marianne Wanamaker
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.
S7 · E45 · 16 Sep 2025 · 47 min
Do we have enough energy to power the country? – with Reagan Farr and and Shameek Konar
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.
S7 · E44 · 2 Sep 2025 · 58 min
Who Judges the Judges? – with Holly Kirby, Sharon Lee, and Alberto Gonzales
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.
S6 · E43 · 13 May 2025 · 1 hr
Is Public Education in Crisis? – with Jeb Bush, John White, and Rahm Emanuel
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.
S6 · E42 · 29 Apr 2025 · 54 min
Can We Still Count on the Separation of Powers? – with Cass Sunstein and David Lewis
In our Constitution, the framers established three independent branches of government, creating checks and balances to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Harvard professor Cass Sunstein and Vanderbilt professor David Lewis to explore the history and interaction between the branches and whether the Framers' vision holds up in current practice.
S6 · E41 · 15 Apr 2025 · 52 min
How important are foreign alliances? – with Rahm Emanuel and Michael Kimmage
As global dynamics shift, are foreign alliances essential to U.S. safety and prosperity – or is an America First approach more effective? Governors Bredesen and Haslam talk with former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and historian Michael Kimmage about the pros and cons of foreign alliances and the new international order.
S6 · E40 · 1 Apr 2025 · 43 min
Has Pardon Power Gone Too Far? – with Mike Nelson and Steve Vladeck
The power of the President to pardon convicted criminals is enshrined in the Constitution, but many experts have criticized the recent use of pardons and calls for reform have grown louder. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Mike Nelson, professor of political science at Rhodes College and Steve Vladeck, professor of law at Georgetown University (and returning YMBR guest), to discuss this power, what the Framers of the Constitution intended, and how it could be reformed.
S6 · E39 · 18 Mar 2025 · 49 min
Can government work better and cost less? – with Elaine Kamarck and Jim Capretta
Presidents from both parties have tried to make government leaner – with mixed results. Governors Bredesen and Haslam are joined by Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution and Jim Capretta of AEI to discuss what a smaller, more efficient government might look like – and if it's realistic. Drawing on their own experiences in the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, the guests discuss the real drivers of federal spending and whether efforts like the Department of Government Efficiency could make a difference.
S6 · E38 · 6 Mar 2025 · 46 min
Is this the end of free trade? – with Heather Long and James Lake
To kick off a new season of You Might Be Right, Heather Long, opinion columnist for The Washington Post, and James Lake, associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss trade policy and the impact of tariffs.
S5 · E37 · 21 Nov 2024 · 47 min
2024 Election – What Did We Learn? – with Andy Busch and Lindsay Chervinsky
Following an unprecedented presidential campaign, Andy Busch, Associate Director of the Institute of American Civics at the Baker School, and Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to debrief the election. What have we learned and what can history tell us about what might be next?
S5 · E36 · 31 Oct 2024 · 1 hr
Can the Supreme Court be impartial? – with Steve Vladeck and John McGinnis
Steve Vladeck, law professor at Georgetown and CNN Supreme Court analyst, and John McGinnis, law professor at Northwestern, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the impact of polarization and declining public trust on the Supreme Court. Is the Supreme Court as partisan as Americans think it is? Are reforms needed to help rebuild trust?
S5 · E35 · 22 Oct 2024 · 55 min
Can the Constitution help fight polarization? – with Yuval Levin
While constitutional issues are at the heart of many of our disagreements, it may also be the solution to our increasing political polarization. Yuval Levin, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of a new book "American Covenant", join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to explore how the Constitution can guide us to disagree constructively and resolve problems.
S5 · E34 · 8 Oct 2024 · 54 min
How has polarization changed governing? – with Anthony Foxx and Margaret Spellings
Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation in the Obama Administration and Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education in the Bush Administration, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam for a wide-ranging conversation, reflecting on experiences navigating divisions then and the changes they see today. They also share lessons learned while in office, from navigating relationships with the White House and Congress to memorable encounters with Dick Cheney and Grover Norquist. This episode was recorded live at Davidson College in September 2024.

About You Might Be Right

You Might Be Right is a English news podcast from Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at University of Tennessee. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at University of Tennessee
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 53 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1642334178

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