As a Tennessee middle school Librarian I am always trying my best to help my students understand the world around them be it the past, the ever changing present, and what the future may or may not look like all while trying to understand many points of view. I even get turned upside down with all that is happening so quickly! Governor Bredeson & Governor Haslam have helped me stay centered on many topics and helped me to become a better educated citizen as well as a better human being. Thank you for continuing the positive legacy of Mr. Baker.

Solid thinking every time. More please

Intelligent conversation about issues from people who have governed. Highly recommended.

I found the podcast randomly and listened to the episode with Brad Rafensberger S.o.S of GA. and election integrity. They were so serious and smug. It was a joke! I likely never tune in again.

I love this balanced, calm discussion of current issues.

It’s about time for discussion between rational and experienced public servants who see the need for a return to civil discourse. This will be my go-to source for discussion by the adults in the room.

Two former governors from different parties take a thought look at current issue - discuss with guest from opposing sides and and have thoughtful discussions. I have benefitted greatly and changed some of my views based on this podcast.

I deeply appreciate both of these gentlemen for what they are doing. Showing civility and true leadership. Exemplifying the best of Tennessee and the United States. Remembering United we stand, divided we fall. Thank you both for your public service and continuing your influence by doing this podcast and being Americans first, before party. God bless you, both.

It is helpful to have individuals of differing political persuasions discuss challenging issues with respect, thoughtfulness and willingness to listen.

This podcast so far is able to give time and consideration to the voices of both sides to an issue in a sensible way that I think we have been craving. Let’s take action, but in a way that is sensible and thoughtful to a large majority of people. Even just hearing from “the other side” that they acknowledge a problem exists that some may deny is a breath of fresh air. The “we’re working together” part could be very powerful…

This is the most sensible, logical look at current affairs in our country. Please run for president and VP- I don’t care who runs for which position.

I’m so glad the former governors and their guests come together to have educational, civil dialogue on issues faces our communities! Their perspectives and the differences in approaches and opinions add to the conversation.

Thank you Governors for demonstrating how political discourse is supposed to work. You continue to make me proud to be a Tennessean.

I’ve been reluctant to listen to political podcasts lately because they seem to trade in outrage and division. This is absolutely refreshing and hopeful with a focus on solutions and civility. Bredesen and Haslam are both highly intelligent and compassionate statesmen searching for a way through this divisive muck we’re in. Their guests are extraordinary as well. Highly recommend!

No more inspiring way to envision a way out of our current extreme divisiveness than to emulate these two former Tennessee governors, one a Democrat and one a Republican. They have Impressive guests tackling the tough issues and end each interview with a wonderful question they ask of each guest.

I love this podcast. It truly does model how to have genuinely curious, thoughtful, civil conversations about tough issues. The guests are outstanding. Gov Bredesen and Gov Haslam are to be commended and celebrated for this effort. Hopefully, they will be emulated as well. As a center-right guy and former Nashville resident, I have always been a big fan of Phil Bredesen. Candidly, I was never that impressed with Haslam when he was governor. But this podcast has changed my opinion of him. He seems very thoughtful and decent. The next time I hear him speak about some issue, I will be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt and listen carefully. After all, he might be right . . .

I hope this podcast is just a stepping stone to bigger things.

Must-listen in such a politically divided time.

Overall a great and thought provoking podcast from 2 of TN greatest statesman - but Governors, the episode in which ACB mansplained to me from his white male HBS tower that suffering would bring me meaning, that we all have endless opportunities like HBS students, and that I didn’t need to worry my pretty little head about national politics when I (theoretically) I could just go join my school board where I would be welcomed with open arms - the entire episode was below the usual standards of this podcast. As the Governors are surely aware, many national political organizations are bankrolling and pushing many local level candidates and agendas.

The episodes are thoughtful, insightful, bold and informative. Both Governors lead the discussions in a manner that seeks understanding of the points being made by impressive guests. The way they ask questions or pose a different rational is instructive to the listeners and to our polarized society. A little training on “how to be Howard Baker” is much appreciated.

Thoughtful and well presented. Love the guests and the topics covered to date. The idea that we can have civil discourse is so refreshing.

Saddened the discussion on charter schools in TN did not point out their systemic failures. Why not discuss the lack of oversite and damage from TN bills HB2833/SB2168? Why was there no discussion about increased support for public schools - making public schools better and have more flexibility? If the discussion is how to educate all children well then more discussion around improving public schools is also needed. Every public school is full of creativity, innovation and hard work but this discussion painted Charter Schools as the only place that exemplifies these traits. Just a few examples of the theft and failures in TN charter schools. 1. Memphis Academy of Health Sciences closed after 3 leaders were indicted for stealing $400k for personal use- for Vegas trips, a hot tub, NBA tickets, auto repair, etc. 750 students were displaced. 2. The Executive Director of Legacy Leadership Academy was charged w/2 counts of theft and 3 counts of forgery after the comptroller found she inflated amounts on phony invoices to steal $4595 from the school. 3. New Vision Academy in Nashville shut down after state and federal investigation into financial irregularities and failure to comply with federal laws re: EL students and special needs students. Its leaders- a husband/wife team- earned $563k per year to oversee our a school serving only 150 students. New Vision also violated the fire code by cramming too many kids into classrooms. 4. Knowledge Academies in Nashville failed to pay teachers, used uncertified teachers, lost hundreds of thousands in an online phishing scheme, changed grades and transcripts, understaffed the school, forced poor kids to buy expensive uniforms, failed to properly serve special needs and EL students, ran for-profit businesses out of the school, posted terrible academic results, and more. After $ went missing, its CEO/founder disappeared. Nashville shut it down and THE STATE FORCED IT BACK OPEN. It’s now operating w/a $7.9 million deficit. 5. Two KIPP charter schools in Memphis abruptly closed without notice or community discussion, displacing about 650 students. 6. Gateway University Charter School in Memphis shut down after it falsified grades, used uncertified teachers, gave credits for a geometry class that didn’t exist, and pulled children out of class to clean school bathrooms, classrooms, and hallways. (!) 7. Southwest Early Charter School in Memphis closed after using uncertified teachers, failing to serve special needs students, losing its partnership with a community college and having “no institutional control,”according to the district. 8. Rocketship in Nashville forced open a brand new ASD school, even though its school was in the bottom 3% of schools statewide. (The ASD is supposed to bring up low-performing schools, not open new ones.) This new school closed after only one month. Rocketship, based in CA, is amassing millions in TN tax dollars through substantial management fees, facilities fees and “growth” fees. It also accessed a nearly $8 million tax-free bond for facilities through a back room deal. 9. Drexel Preparatory Academy in Nashville closed after using unlicensed teachers, a carbon monoxide leak that impacted students, and ongoing poor performance. 10. Boys Preparatory Academy in Nashville shut down after only 2 years after district officials found flaws in its special education services, manipulation of enrollment data and “other troubling patterns.” - Only 5 TN charter schools (out of over 100) has a success rate over 20%, according to the state Report Card.

The humility that past TN governors Bredesen and Haslam show when discussing divisive issues drive this podcast. Both hosts are willing to probe weaknesses in their guests’ sometimes intractable stance. More of this unraveling of complex issues!

This is a great podcast from two politicians from a more civil era. I didn’t agree with much of what Haslam did as governor, but I was always impressed that he would go against his party when necessary (e.g. healthcare), and the same could be said of Bredesen. They’re showing the same willingness in this podcast to favor practical solutions over political party. My only critique of the podcast is that I wish they would push their guests to answer the final question more genuinely. So far, every guest has answered the “you might be right” question with some version of “I used to think the wrong way about this issue, but now I think the right way.” I wish the governors would push their guests to honestly consider their CURRENT opponents’ viewpoint and tell of a time when they thought their current opponents “might be right.” Otherwise, great work!

Like apparently most Americans I have a tendency to tune into the echo chambers - media that speaks or writes from my own perspective and beliefs. The very premise of this podcast is to consider difficult topics from both sides of the argument. You know what? There are persuasive arguments on both sides of these complex topics. I anxiously await future episodes.

It was so good to listen to a sensible discussion of such an important issue, probably the most important. I hope these two former governors find someone to carry on with this planning and education of the public AND the Congress.

Love this podcast that brings together different points of view so important to have a better understanding of an issue. We need more conversations like this for public view. Thank you!

Listen to geriatric white men pretend that the Republican party isn't diving headlong into fascism!!! Afterall, both sides are the problem!!!

Along the lines of the UKs Rest is Politics with Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell. I believe we crave common ground. Our arguments are usually on who is to blame for the problem not the problem itself, when we can come together to discuss a solution we all win.

This shows you guys are going to address hard questions. Thank you. We all need this type of dialogue to listen to and learn from. This should be required listening for each member of congress and the president.

The two guests on the first episode expressed virtually no dissenting views. This sounded like a discussion where the two hosts, at least, had been either reticent to ask meaningful questions or they had not thought much about the topics before. How could you possibly have a discussion like this that lasts 30 minutes without asking the Chicago guests if there were any cities in Indiana with the same violent crime rate as Chicago given that he reasons the gun laws in Chicago do not work because of bordering Indiana. Respectively, how could David French not have the issue raised about the abuse of red flag laws and the risk to citizens who have committed no crime and are simply dislike by the complainant? Was like listening to two hosts that don’t have much experience asking serious questions. I suggest change the show title or have dissenting views in the future.

Yes! Let’s please reward constructive conversations like this vs. the cable news screamers. Thank you for modeling a better way, governors!

I am glad they started out with such a challenging and important issue! Handled it very well.👏

This podcast is an excellent take on Senator Baker’s view that the other side “might be right” and is something many of us in the center have been seeking!

Add to your must-listen list.

Finally… a conversation about important issues with respect and civility. We all need to learn to listen to one another and not vilify someone whose opinion is different than ours. Thank you Governors for your leadership.

These are the kinds of conversations we need today. Tough but compassionate and civil. We can learn from each other but have to be willing to put aside ego and admit the other person “might be right”. Thank you!

Love it

It's wonderful to listen in to these meaningful discussions without the polarized views so dominant in society. And it's inspiring the way these two former governors from opposite sides of the political aisle continue to work together.

In a world full of complex problems, I appreciate that Governors Bredesen and Haslam acknowledge that the wisdom of many will be needed to find solutions. Building walls of fear and distrust will not resolve our issues. Honest, respectful discussion can, however, begin the process.

I look forward to civil conversations in this manner. It’s a shame it can’t be done more with current and active members of Congress on both sides. Please let this be the new normal.