Show-me Institute Podcast

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, about how a new federal scholarship tax credit, created through the One Big Beautiful Bill, could transform K–12 education across the country. They discuss what this means for Missouri families, the legal threats facing the MOScholars program, how education policy is shifting nationally, and more. Timestamps 00:00 The Evolution of School Choice in Missouri 02:59 Charter Schools and Teacher Innovation 05:40 The Impact of Lawsuits on Educational Freedom 08:35 Federal Tax Credit Programs and Their Implications 11:19 The Future of School Choice and Parental Empowerment Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Dr. Jim Wyckoff, professor at the University of Virginia and director of the Education Policy Ph.D. program, about the long-term decline in student academic achievement. They discuss how national test scores, especially for the lowest-performing students, began falling well before the pandemic, why the usual explanations like COVID or Common Core miss the bigger picture, and what states can do to reverse the trend. Dr. Wyckoff also explores the impact of reduced accountability, smartphone use in schools, teacher workforce challenges, and policy successes in states like Mississippi. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass is joined again by Elias Tsapelas, director of state budget and fiscal policy at the Show-Me Institute, for Part II of their conversation on the sweeping federal legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” They unpack what the bill means for Missouri taxpayers, including changes to the standard deduction, tips and overtime, education savings accounts, and higher education policy. They also dig into the bill’s broader fiscal impact, from the growing federal deficit to the implementation challenges facing state governments. Timestamps 00:00 Exploring the One Big Beautiful Bill 04:58 Tax Implications for Missourians 10:20 New Savings Accounts for Children 12:07 Changes in Higher Education 18:09 Federal Deficit and Debt Concerns Listen to part I: https://showmeinstitute.org/blog/economy/understanding-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-with-elias-tsapelas/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass is joined by Elias Tsapelas, director of state budget and fiscal policy at the Show-Me Institute, to break down the sweeping new federal legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." They discuss what it really means for Medicaid recipients, food stamp programs, state budgets, and Missouri taxpayers. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Noah Devine, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public Schools Association, about how charter schools in St. Louis are responding after the recent tornado damaged multiple campuses. They discuss the need for flexibility for displaced families, how charter schools are working to reopen quickly, and the broader importance of school choice, especially in times of crisis. Noah also explains why Missouri’s lack of open enrollment makes recovery harder, and shares resources for families navigating this difficult time. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

On April 10, 2025, Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites, visited Washington University School of Law to discuss the ideological and bureaucratic challenges facing American higher education. In this lecture, Shapiro argues that elite universities have abandoned their core mission of truth-seeking in favor of activism, driven by bloated administrations and timid leadership. Drawing on personal experience and national trends, he explains how law schools, in particular, are failing to uphold classical liberal values such as free speech, academic freedom, and equal justice. Watch a video recording of the event: https://youtu.be/TGOmu2Ab-ZM The event was hosted by the Show-Me Institute, the Federalist Society, the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, and Show-Me Opportunity.

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass is joined by Steven Wilson, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research and author of The Lost Decade: Returning to the Fight for Better Schools in America, to discuss the rise and decline of the “no excuses” charter school movement. They examine how once high-performing urban charter networks lost their focus on academic achievement, why ideological shifts around DEI and anti-racism took root, and what it will take to re-center public education around effective instruction. Wilson also explains the importance of urgency in school leadership, the evidence behind student outcomes, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass is joined by Brian Blase, President of Paragon Health Institute, and Elias Tsapelas, Director of State Budget and Fiscal Policy at the Show-Me Institute, to break down the health care provisions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” They focus specifically on the bill’s Medicaid provisions, including efforts to enforce eligibility checks, freeze the growth of provider tax schemes, and reduce improper enrollment. Blase and Tsapelas also discuss the reality behind claims that millions will lose coverage, the true cost of Medicaid expansion, and the perverse incentives that allow states to game the federal reimbursement system. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Patrick Tuohey, senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute, about Missouri’s upcoming special legislative session, slated to begin on June 2, and the debate over taxpayer subsidies for stadiums. They discuss why stadium subsidies often fail to deliver promised economic benefits, how billionaire sports team owners leverage public funds for private gain, and the potential impact of a $50 million annual giveaway to the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Tuohey explains the flawed logic behind the argument that Missouri must compete with Kansas in a “race to the bottom” and argues that the state should instead focus on core services like public safety, education, and infrastructure. They also cover the broader implications of using taxpayer dollars to benefit wealthy team owners, the political dynamics driving these proposals, and what citizens and lawmakers should consider as the special session begins. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Special Session 01:59 Stadium

In this episode, Susan Pendergrass speaks with Andrew G. Biggs, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), about the current state and future of Social Security. They discuss the dangers of a proposed temporary elimination of taxes on Social Security benefits, which could harm the program’s finances and incentivize early retirement, an outcome that could undercut long-term retirement security. Biggs explains that this move would offset one of the greatest contributors to the success of America’s retirement system and worsen the funding gaps of Social Security. They also cover concerns about the sustainability of the program, the shift from pensions to 401(k) plans, and the need for sound public policy to address these challenges. Check out Dr. Biggs' Substack, Little-Known Facts, here: https://littleknownfacts.substack.com/ And his new book, The Real Retirement Crisis: Why (Almost) Everything You Know About the US Retirement System Is Wrong, here: https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/th

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to discuss: the final stretch of Missouri’s legislative session, including debates over education funding, Medicaid spending, and the state’s overall budget growth. They discuss proposed education reforms, reading instruction standards, and open enrollment. The conversation also covers late-session legislative dealmaking, concerns over tax credit expansions, the pause of St. Louis’s transit project, new land bank plans in St. Louis County, and developments in telemedicine and electricity market reforms. Timestamps 00:00 Budget Week: The Countdown Begins 02:57 Legislative Priorities: Education and Medicaid 06:00 Senate Bill 10: A Mixed Bag of Economic Development 09:03 House Bill 660: Local Tax Reforms 11:49 Education Legislation: Open Enrollment and Safety Measures 15:11 Land Banks: A Controversial Expansion 17:58 Telemedicine and Energy Policy: Future Prospects 20:49 Final Thoughts: Legislative Outlook and Community Impact Produced by Show-M

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Kelly Williams-Bolar about her harrowing experience of fighting for her daughters' education, which led to a legal battle that changed her life forever. After enrolling her daughters in a better school district, Kelly faced accusations of fraud and was ultimately charged with grand theft. After spending nine days in jail, Kelley was pardoned by the governor, who recognized the injustice of her situation. They discuss the systemic issues in education, the consequences of parental choices, and the importance of advocacy for educational equity. Kelly’s story serves as a cautionary tale for parents navigating the complexities of school enrollment and the legal ramifications of seeking better opportunities for their children. Timestamps 00:00 The Struggle for Education 08:22 The Legal Battle Begins 14:06 Consequences of a Fight for Education 22:13 Advocacy and Change 30:50 Reflections and Future Directions Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

You can read the full op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4iscFH7 This is a reading of an op-ed written by Susan Pendergrass titled "A Bad Deal for Missouri's Children", published in The Heartlander on April 24, 2025. In this piece, Susan critiques the tradeoff being discussed in the Missouri Legislature, where a weak open-enrollment bill is being tied to a measure that would strip the State Board of Education (BOE) of its authority to hold schools accountable for performance. She argues that this compromise is a bad deal for Missouri’s students and emphasizes the importance of holding school districts accountable. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with David Stokes, Director of Municipal Policy at the Show-Me Institute, about A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Cities, Towns, and Villages, Part Two: Taxation. They discuss Missouri's over-reliance on sales taxes and harmful local income taxes, particularly in St. Louis and Kansas City. Stokes emphasizes the need for a "three-legged stool" approach to municipal funding, where sales taxes, property taxes, and user fees work together to create a more stable and sustainable financial system for Missouri's municipalities. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Municipal Policy Expertise 02:52 Understanding Municipal Policy and Governance 06:12 Local Taxation: Sources and Implications 09:03 The Role of User Fees in Municipal Finance 12:10 Sales Tax Dynamics and Special Taxing Districts 14:47 The Impact of Tax Incentives on Local Development 17:54 Challenges of Property and Personal Property Taxes 20:58 Sales Tax Pooling: A Unique Approach 24:08 Conclusion and Future Directions in Municipal P

Dr. Cory Koedel, the Show-Me Institute’s new director of education policy, joins Susan Pendergrass to discuss the biggest challenges facing Missouri’s public education system. They cover declining student outcomes, the role of accountability and testing, and the promise of school choice. Koedel shares insights from his research on school funding models—highlighting Tennessee’s student-centered formula—and breaks down what Missouri can learn from states that are improving early literacy. They also examine controversial policies like early grade retention and open enrollment, and Koedel outlines his priorities for education research in Missouri. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Education Policy Challenges in Missouri 03:10 The Role of School Choice in Improving Outcomes 05:48 Funding Formulas and Their Implications 08:52 Early Literacy and Reading Instruction 12:05 Retention Policies and Their Effectiveness 15:04 Open Enrollment and Its Impact on Rural Schools 17:58 Future Directions for Education Policy in

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Sean McCarthy, Director of Fiscal Policy for the Arizona House of Representatives, about the state’s innovative approach to education. They discuss universal school choice, open enrollment, and the broader implications of Arizona’s funding mechanisms. McCarthy highlights Arizona’s unique position as a national leader in school choice, the role of parental decision-making, and the challenges involved in education budgeting. They also discuss the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program and examine the positive impact this approach has had on rural schools across the state. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Arizona's Fiscal Policy and Education System 00:48 Universal School Choice in Arizona 03:55 Open Enrollment Dynamics and Parental Choices 10:13 Funding Mechanisms and Their Implications 14:59 Challenges in Education Funding and Budgeting 19:59 Arizona's ESA Program and Parental Empowerment 26:55 Rural Education and School Choice Outcomes Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass and Dominic Pino, the Thomas L. Rhodes Fellow at the National Review Institute, discuss the current state of U.S. tariffs and trade policy. They explore tariffs as a hidden form of taxation, debunk common misconceptions about trade deficits, provide historical context for America’s protectionist tendencies, and more. Timestamps: 00:00 Understanding Tariffs and Economic Perspectives 02:51 The Impact of Trade Deficits 06:05 The Role of Government in Trade Policies 08:59 The Consequences of Protectionism 12:02 Future Economic Predictions 15:05 Historical Context of Tariffs 18:03 The Confusion Surrounding Current Policies Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Ben Scafidi, professor of economics and director of the Education Economics Center at Kennesaw State University. He is also a Friedman fellow with EdChoice and the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. They discuss the financial implications of declining enrollment in public schools, highlighting how districts with fewer students often experience increased funding per student. Scafidi explains the paradox of declining enrollment leading to financial windfalls for these districts, allowing them to pay teachers more and increase staffing levels. The conversation also touches on the need for a shift in mindset regarding school funding and the importance of adapting to demographic changes in education policy. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

In this conversation, James Shuls, senior fellow of education policy at the Show-Me Institute and head of the K-12 education reform branch of the Institute for Governance and Civics at Florida State University, and Jason Bedrick, research fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, discuss the Phoenix Declaration. They explore the importance of cultural transmission, the distinction between education and indoctrination, and the necessity of grounding education in truth and goodness. The discussion emphasizes the role of schools in character formation and the importance of engagement in public education. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Tim DeRoche from Available to All about the importance of open enrollment in public schools, particularly in Missouri, where strict residential assignment policies limit access to quality education. They discuss the issue of educational redlining, the impact of district boundaries, and the need for policy changes to ensure equitable access for all families. DeRoche highlights transportation challenges, funding models, and successful open enrollment policies in other states that Missouri could learn from. Read Tim's full report here: https://bit.ly/41b2eRC Learn more about Available to All: availabletoall.org Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:11 The Case for Open Enrollment 06:02 Missouri's Unique Challenges 09:07 The Impact of District Lines 12:13 Educational Redlining and Its Consequences 15:03 Resistance to Change in Missouri 17:58 Comparative Analysis with Other States 20:51 Transportation and Accessibility Issues 24:03 Funding Models and Their Implications 27:08 The Futu