Defending Democracy with Andrew Marantz

In this episode of Hobby Talks, political commentator Chris Stirewalt discusses the evolving media landscape, political polarization, the midterm elections and the importance of engaging across differences with Brandon Williams of the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. Stirewalt visited the University of Houston for a public lecture hosted by the center.Stirewalt is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on politics, voting trends, public opinion and the media. He also contributes to The Dispatch and hosts "The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt" on NewsNation. He is the author of "Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back."

In this episode of Hobby Talks, Andrew Marantz of The New Yorker examines the state of democracy and the expansion of presidential power in conversation with Brandon Williams of the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. They also discuss the role of independent journalism in a healthy democracy and youth engagement in politics and civic life. Marantz was at the University of Houston for a public lecture hosted by the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center.Andrew Marantz has contributed to The New Yorker since 2011, writing about technology, politics, social media and the press. He has published pieces about the battle for the young male vote, the erosion of American democracy and the prospect of an A.I. apocalypse, among other topics.

In this episode of Hobby Talks, Professor Chris Bronk speaks with Evan Mintz, editor of opinion and community engagement at the Houston Chronicle. They discuss the newspaper’s editorial board coverage of key local and state races, the issues shaping the region and the changing political landscape. Mintz also shares his perspective on voter turnout and sentiment, the state of politics and what the election results could signal for future governance and policy priorities.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, Hobby School Dean Jim Granato sits down with Alejandra Salinas, the newest at-large member of the Houston City Council. They discuss how her early advocacy, from organizing a high school walkout to speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and serving as president of the College Democrats of America, shaped her belief in using her voice to serve others. Salinas shares what inspired her to run for public office, her vision for City Hall, strategies for making local government more accessible, and advice for students pursuing public service careers. She also discusses working collaboratively with various stakeholders, using data to guide policy, and addressing Houston’s most pressing challenges. Salinas won a special election in December 2025. She is the first LGBTQ+ Latina elected to serve on the Houston City Council. In addition to her work in public office, Salinas is an attorney and a partner at Susman Godfrey.

In this episode of Hobby Talks, Associate Professor Chris Bronk speaks with Evan Mintz, editor of opinion and community engagement at the Houston Chronicle. Their conversation explores the role of the newspaper’s editorial board in shaping civic discourse amid an evolving media landscape and an increasingly polarized world. They also discuss how opinion pages differ from news coverage, the endorsement process, the region’s most pressing issues, and the challenges of misinformation and disinformation.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, an expert panel analyzes the results of the state’s primary elections and what they may signal for the political landscape ahead. Podcast host Renée Cross explores the results of the U.S. Senate primaries and key statewide and local contests with panelists Richard Murray and Mark P. Jones. Renée Cross is senior executive director and researcher at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, where Richard Murray and Mark P. Jones are senior research fellows. Murray is also a professor emeritus in the UH Department of Political Science and the author of “Letter from Texas,” a newsletter about the changing demographics and the future of Republican dominance in the state. Jones is also a fellow in political science at the Baker Institute at Rice University.

On this episode of Hobby Talks, cultural historian and media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan examines the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on democracy, civic discourse, and the evolving media and political landscapes. Vaidhyanathan shares insights into how technology shapes news consumption, classroom learning, and civic engagement, which institutions are best positioned to meet this moment of technological change, and what policymakers should consider for platform accountability and AI governance. He was at the University of Houston on Feb. 5 to deliver a public lecture for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership. Vaidhyanathan is a professor of media studies and the director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several books, including “Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy."

On this episode of Hobby Talks, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey shares insight into the inner workings of county government. He guides listeners through key components of the new fiscal year budget and his office’s priorities, including continued progress in addressing complex issues such as flood mitigation, public safety and infrastructure. Commissioner Ramsey oversees one of the fastest-growing areas in Harris County, spanning from Cypress to Baytown, with Tomball and Huffman to the north and the Memorial Villages and Spring Branch to the south. He has served as Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner since 2020. 

On this episode of Hobby Talks, political scientist Richard Murray breaks down the proposed Texas maps for the 2026 midterm elections with podcast host Dean Jim Granato. Murray explains what the newly drawn congressional districts mean for Texans and the balance of power in Congress, as well as the political party strategies and national-level implications. He also reflected on his decades-long career at the University of Houston and introduced listeners to his new newsletter, Letter from Texas, where he provides insights on the shifting demographics and the future of Republican dominance in the Lone Star State. Richard Murray is a professor emeritus in the University of Houston Department of Political Science and a senior research fellow at the Hobby School.

Texas has emerged as a national leader in online privacy enforcement, securing historic settlements with Google and Meta aimed at curbing unlawful data collection. On this episode of Hobby Talks, Tyler Bridegan provided insights into the Lone Star State's comprehensive enforcement strategies and approach to enhancing consumer protections. Bridegan guided listeners through his path to public service, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, holding major technology companies accountable, and what's next for the broader privacy landscape in an evolving digital world. Tyler Bridegan is the director of privacy and tech enforcement for the Texas Attorney General's office, where he oversees the implementation and enforcement of the state's slate of privacy and technology-related laws. Bridegan was at the University of Houston campus on Sept. 29, 2025, to deliver a lecture for the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership and the UH Law Center.