More with Marc Istook

Texas leaders often celebrate the “Texas miracle.” But what does that promise mean for families struggling with housing costs, teachers seeking better support, or communities facing large data center developments? State Rep. Vikki Goodwin joins Marc Istook to discuss her campaign against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the choices she believes will shape Texas’ future. A Dallas native serving her fourth term in the Texas House, Goodwin brings experience in education funding and residential real estate to a conversation about growth, affordability and government priorities. Recorded October 23, 2026, this conversation covers: 01:15 — Voter enthusiasm and Texas’ political identity Goodwin discusses election-season enthusiasm, the challenge of reaching people who rarely vote, and why she questions the perception of Texas as a uniformly Republican state. 04:29 — Who benefits from the “Texas miracle”? What does a welcoming business climate deliver for the people already living and working here? Goodwin argues that economic growth should also be judged by workers’ pay and families’ quality of life. 05:34 — Property taxes and the state’s responsibility Goodwin explains her argument that shifting costs from the state to local governments puts more pressure on property taxpayers, including through public-school funding. 07:21 — Fear-based campaigning versus everyday concerns The conversation turns to political advertising and whether campaigns are addressing the issues voters raise most often: groceries, schools, healthcare and affordability. 08:16 — A report card on Texas public education Marc asks Goodwin to grade Gov. Greg Abbott and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. She discusses teacher pay, class sizes, school funding and state takeovers. 11:02 — What happens outside the classroom matters Marc and Goodwin explore how hunger, healthcare and family circumstances affect students’ ability to learn, and what responsibility state leaders have to address those conditions. 12:30 — School vouchers and accountability Goodwin challenges the rationale for private-school vouchers and raises questions about transparency, who receives the benefits, and what the program means for public schools. 14:02 — Why data centers are drawing opposition Drawing on conversations across Texas, Goodwin describes residents’ concerns about water, electricity, housing, noise and light pollution. Marc asks who ultimately benefits from these developments and who bears the costs. 17:40 — Affordability and the healthcare stories voters share Goodwin recounts stories people have told her about insurance denials and discusses the difficulty of changing a healthcare system shaped by powerful interests. 19:39 — Starter homes, housing supply and construction workers A residential real estate broker, Goodwin discusses duplexes and other housing options, barriers to building, and the connection between workforce availability and housing affordability. 21:08 — The disputed transgender resource mailers Marc and Goodwin discuss mailers arriving at Texas households, questions about their origins, and Goodwin’s belief that they were intended to provoke fear ahead of the election. Who financed or directed the mailers had not been established at the time of recording. 24:30 — AI-generated political ads and public trust The conversation closes with deepfake campaign advertising, Goodwin’s account of challenging ads targeting her, and the growing difficulty of knowing what to trust. Guest information and resources Vikki Goodwin’s campaign website Goodwin’s public education platform Goodwin’s water and data center priorities Goodwin’s housing platform Texas Tribune reporting on the investigation into the disputed mailers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Katie Dapkus: Viral Speech, AI Data Centers, and a Possible Run for Office Who do elected officials really work for: the people who elect them or the corporations seeking to do business in their communities? That's the question at the heart of a fiery speech delivered by Katie Dapkus at a city council meeting in Lexington, Kentucky. Her remarks opposing a proposed data center from developer DartPoints have since racked up tens of millions of views online, tapping into widespread frustration with corporate influence, artificial intelligence, and politicians who seem disconnected from the people they represent. In this episode of More with Marc Istook, Katie joins Marc to discuss how she became involved in the fight against data centers, why the issue has brought people together across political lines, and what her experience has taught her about grassroots organizing and government accountability. Their conversation explores concerns about electricity and water consumption, environmental impacts, utility costs, tax incentives, and whether communities genuinely benefit from these enormous infrastructure investments. They also discuss the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, its potential effect on jobs, privacy and surveillance, and whether governments are doing enough to protect the public. Katie shares some surprising behind-the-scenes details, including how she wrote her now-famous speech in just ten minutes after an unexpected change of plans. She also recounts a troubling exchange she says she had with a local elected official and explains why the public response to her speech has inspired her to consider running for office herself. It's a conversation about much more than data centers. It's about community, corporate power, civic engagement, and the fundamental responsibility of elected officials to listen to the people they serve. Episode chapters 00:00 – Katie's viral speech: "Out-of-state developers are not your constituents" 01:11 – Watch Katie's full Lexington City Council speech 03:15 – Why her message resonated with millions of Americans 04:54 – How Katie became involved in the fight against data centers 06:19 – Environmental concerns, energy demands, and the rapid expansion of AI 08:03 – The developer behind Lexington's proposed data center 08:41 – Why Katie believes the fight is bringing people together across political lines 09:32 – Why her speech has given people hope 10:53 – Corporate influence and frustration with elected officials 12:18 – AI, the future of jobs, and the possibility of a technology bubble 14:32 – The rewards and challenges of grassroots organizing 15:15 – Katie's surprising account of a conversation with a city council member 16:14 – Katie's background and her approach to community wellness 18:32 – Could Katie run for political office? 21:40 – How Lexington's elected officials have responded 23:22 – How she wrote her viral speech in just ten minutes 24:41 – Advice for communities facing proposed data centers 25:31 – Lexington's moratorium and what comes next Key topics The proposed DartPoints data center in Lexington, Kentucky Grassroots opposition to data center development Artificial intelligence, energy demands, water consumption, and environmental concerns Corporate influence and political accountability Bipartisan frustration with government representation AI regulation, surveillance, privacy, and potential job displacement The power of viral moments to inspire civic engagement Katie's possible future in politics Lexington's data center moratorium and proposed zoning restrictions Resources and additional information Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government: Data Center Public Engagement DartPoints: Data Center Developer More with Marc Istook on YouTube Marc Istook's website More with Marc Istook brings you conversations, context, and clarity on the stories and issues shaping our world. Because there's always more to the story. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democracy rarely disappears all at once. It erodes through attacks on truth, the weakening of institutions, the spread of fear, and the silence of ordinary people who believe their individual choices do not matter. Melissa Dalton-Bradford has spent 18 years living in German-speaking countries, where the legacy of authoritarianism is never far from the surface. In this conversation, she explains why history does not repeat itself but often rhymes, and why recognizing those patterns requires both urgency and care. Melissa draws on the work of political philosopher Hannah Arendt to examine the “banality of evil,” the danger of losing our ability to distinguish fact from fiction, and the complicity of those who simply go along. She and Marc discuss why speaking up can carry a real social and professional cost, especially when political divisions reach into our families, friendships, and communities. But this conversation is not simply a warning. Melissa’s book pairs 11 hallmarks of authoritarianism with specific action plans for people who have a few minutes, a few hours, or an ongoing commitment to give. Her message is direct: action dispels despair. They also explore how to talk with people across political divides, why questions can be more effective than accusations, and how language built around liberty, accountability, safety, and constitutional government can create common ground. Melissa argues that rebuilding democracy begins by rebuilding the “we,” finding people with whom we can act, and refusing the isolation on which fear depends. The conversation also examines online radicalization, the vulnerability of young people growing up in algorithm-driven communities, the network of powerful figures surrounding Donald Trump, and the difference between genuine moral strength and the performance of a political strongman. Ultimately, Melissa believes defending democracy is not a partisan project. It belongs to anyone who values truth, human dignity, constitutional government, and the responsibility to leave something better for the generations that follow. Timestamps 00:00 - Hannah Arendt and the ideal subject of totalitarianism 01:42 - Marc’s conversation with Melissa begins 04:00 - The moment Melissa decided she could no longer remain silent 07:13 - Why comparisons to Nazi Germany require historical care 12:51 - What surprised Melissa about Donald Trump’s two elections 15:01 - The Oval Office confrontation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy 17:45 - Hannah Arendt, Adolf Eichmann, and the banality of evil 20:06 - Why silence can become complicity 23:16 - The personal cost of speaking up 25:17 - Why an assault on truth is the foundation of authoritarianism 27:31 - Finding language that can reach people across political divides 30:44 - Practical action plans and why action dispels despair 34:02 - How fear, isolation, and polarization reinforce one another 36:32 - Social media, young people, and online radicalization 40:00 - Project 2025 and the network of power surrounding Donald Trump 45:14 - The insecurity behind the strongman image 47:42 - Why the real divide is democracy versus the absence of democracy 48:32 - What the V-Dem Institute says about American democracy 51:07 - Rebuilding the “we” and finding hope through action Resources and Links How to Save Democracy: The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook by Melissa Dalton-Bradford Melissa Dalton-Bradford’s newsletter Melissa Dalton-Bradford on YouTube Melissa on Instagram, @mdbglobalmom V-Dem Institute’s 2026 Democracy Report The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the “stone of hope” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Jessica Hawk spent 32 years in public education before retiring from the classroom and becoming a full-time content creator. Known online as @MyTeacherFace, she now uses humor, experience, and a growing social-media platform to speak candidly about the challenges facing teachers and public schools. Jessica joins Marc to explain why she misses her students but not the stress, unpaid labor, and expanding responsibilities that came with the job. She describes the “time poverty” teachers experience as new obligations are continually added without additional time or compensation, and she explains why good administrators can determine whether a teacher builds a long career or leaves after only a few years. The conversation also examines the transformation Jessica witnessed after smartphones and social media entered the classroom. Students became more isolated, less willing to participate, and increasingly eager to retreat to their screens. Jessica and Marc discuss phone-free schools, parental resistance to device restrictions, the role of technology in emergencies, and the importance of giving children opportunities to interact with one another in person. They also explore the growing political pressure on public education, the relationship between school funding and student outcomes, the limitations of standardized testing, and the danger of expecting teachers to solve problems rooted in poverty, housing instability, hunger, and family circumstances. Finally, Jessica explains why children need a foundation of knowledge and critical-thinking skills before turning to artificial intelligence. She shares her concerns about excessive classroom technology, her support for universal pre-K and equitable school funding, and the freedom she has found as an “unfettered teacher” who can now say publicly what many working educators cannot. Timestamps 00:00 - Why teachers have become society’s soft target 00:31 - Introducing Dr. Jessica Hawk of My Teacher Face 01:25 - The strange intimacy between creators and their audiences 02:18 - Retiring after 32 years in public education 02:40 - What Jessica misses about the classroom 03:54 - The story behind the My Teacher Face persona 06:02 - What coaching fourth graders taught Marc about teaching 06:56 - Managing 150 students with different needs and abilities 08:03 - Teacher “time poverty” and the job that grew tentacles 08:40 - How much Jessica’s doctorate added to her paycheck 09:09 - Teacher shortages, micromanagement, and scripted curricula 09:41 - Jessica’s cautious advice for aspiring teachers 10:39 - How she knew it was time to retire 12:43 - Losing an identity and beginning the farewell tour 13:05 - Why Jessica encourages some young teachers to leave 15:03 - Criticizing teachers while remembering the teachers who changed us 16:42 - How educators become targets of political accusations 17:59 - The change Jessica noticed when smartphones entered the classroom 19:06 - Why children seem more isolated and reluctant to participate 20:23 - Phone-free schools and parental resistance 21:08 - Why phones can become dangerous during school emergencies 23:51 - The importance of administrators who support their teachers 25:41 - What children can learn from having a teacher they do not like 28:02 - Is there a coordinated effort against public education? 30:00 - Why public education is essential to democracy 31:09 - The connection between wealth, school funding, and opportunity 32:46 - Why schools cannot solve poverty by themselves 34:30 - Teachers as the easiest people to blame 36:04 - Why education is a public good, even for people without children 38:32 - Universal pre-K and helping children before they fall behind 38:54 - Why Jessica has always voted for school funding 39:56 - The human cost of education and the temptation to replace teachers 41:30 - AI, critical thinking, and the need for foundational knowledge 43:13 - From classroom teacher to online education advocate 45:10 - Finding her political voice after retirement 46:04 - The one change Jessica would make to public education 46:59 - How universal pre-K could help level the playing field Connect with Jessica Hawk Follow My Teacher Face on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or find all of Jessica’s current links on her official Linktree. Resources mentioned The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath Bluebonnet Learning materials from the Texas Education Agency Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dave Holmes became one of the most recognizable faces on MTV after losing the network’s Wanna Be a VJ competition to Jesse Camp. But losing the contest was only the beginning. In this episode, Dave explains why he entered the competition without expecting to appear on television, much less begin an entirely new career. He remembers recognizing that Jesse would probably win and deciding that his own goal should be to “lose well,” meet the right people and find another way into the building. That opportunity did not happen automatically. Dave left the wrap party with a stack of business cards and one thought: “They will forget if you let them forget.” He began calling MTV executives at 9:01 the following Monday morning, landed meetings and eventually turned a writing opportunity into an on-camera role. Dave and Marc also compare their experiences in traditional television and examine how dramatically the media business has changed. They discuss the decline of the professional television host, the increasing demand for established celebrities, the return of live programming and the creative freedom offered by social media and independent publishing. Later, the conversation turns to political and cultural commentary. Dave explains why he has stopped watching programs that make him feel like he is “being yelled at by someone I agree with,” and why he tries to approach difficult subjects with humor and perspective. He also shares how growing up in a conservative family influences the way he communicates, especially when he asks himself how he would explain an issue to his mother. Timestamps 00:00 - Cold open: Making things without waiting for permission 00:35 - Introducing Dave Holmes 01:41 - Dave and Marc begin their first conversation 02:52 - Reinventing yourself as the media landscape changes 04:29 - Overcoming the instinct to ask a gatekeeper for permission 06:34 - How MTV’s controlled chaos prepared Dave for social media 07:57 - Leaving advertising and auditioning for MTV 10:24 - Recognizing that Jesse Camp would win and deciding to “lose well” 12:10 - “They will forget if you let them forget” 15:17 - Believing creative careers were meant for other people 18:08 - Knowing an MTV career could only last so long 19:36 - How celebrity casting changed the professional-host business 24:35 - Looking back at MTV footage and interviewing Joe Strummer 27:14 - Leaving office life and arriving at the MTV Beach House 29:15 - Why Dave loved loosely structured live television 31:20 - The live comedy game show Dave still hopes to revive 32:37 - Celebrity Says and the TV Guide Network scroll 33:27 - Tom Hanks repeatedly making the same joke 34:08 - The possible return of live entertainment 35:16 - Marc’s social-media breakthrough after the Kendrick Lamar halftime show 36:57 - Using massive platforms as a force for good 37:27 - Being “yelled at by someone I agree with” 38:48 - How Twitter became “a trash can that’s on fire” 40:35 - Writers, influencers and a camera-equipped Dyson toothbrush 42:33 - The challenge of working with brands without feeling inauthentic 44:07 - What happens when creative experimentation becomes a source of income 44:51 - Substack and the value of supporting independent voices 47:27 - Dave’s off-the-cuff process for making social videos 49:31 - How Dave’s conservative family shapes his political commentary 50:48 - Asking, “How would I make this make sense to Mom?” 52:43 - Where to follow Dave, including his memorable TikTok username Resources and links Dave Holmes on Instagram Cocksure, Dave’s Substack Dave’s writing for Esquire Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.