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The Straight-Up 30
The Straight-Up 30 cuts through the noise and delivers clear, accessible breakdowns of the most relevant policy, political, and governmental issues shaping our world. No partisanship. No spin. No tired talking points. Just straightforward analysis that anyone can understand — in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re a seasoned policymaker, a political professional, or an engaged citizen, The Straight-Up 30 gives you the clarity you need in a world full of confusion.
Episodes
16 episodes
Private Schools, Policy, and Educational Choice
Summary:In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Weston Kurz, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Private Schools (CAPS), to discuss how private schools operate, why they need ...
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Colorado Politics, Independent Voters, and the Future of the GOP
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with longtime Colorado political strategist Dick Wadhams to discuss how Colorado shifted from a competitive purple state to a solidly blue one and what that means he...
Colorado’s Caucus System and the Fight Over How Candidates Reach the Ballot
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Deborah Flora to unpack one of the least understood parts of Colorado politics: the caucus and assembly system. From precinct captains and state assemb...
Water, Policy, and the Systems We Depend On
Water is one of the most critical and complex policy issues in Colorado, yet most people rarely think about how it actually works. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Casey Davenhill of the Colorado Watershed Assembly to br...
Affordable Housing, Rural Colorado, and the Reality Behind the Crisis
Housing is one of the most talked-about issues in Colorado, but the reality on the ground is far more complex than most people realize. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Tony Lewis of the Donnell Kay Foundation to unpack what’s actuall...
The Power of Association, Advocacy, and Parent Voice in Education
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Cortney Crouch and Rob Moulton of the Education Alliance of Colorado to explore how schools and parents can come together to influence education policy. ...
Data Centers, Energy Demand, and the Policy Fight at the Capitol
New data centers are rapidly expanding across the country, driven by the growth of AI and digital infrastructure.But behind that growth are real questions about energy use, water consumption, cost to consumers, and community impact....
Federalism, Transparency, and the Hidden World of Federal Grants
Most of us assume government funding is tracked, understood, and easy to follow. But when it comes to federal dollars flowing into states, especially through grants, the reality is far more complicated. In this episode, Ross Izard sits d...
Foster Youth, Policy Impact, and What Happens After the Bill Passes with Roweena Naidoo
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Roweena Naidoo, Vice President of Policy and Community Initiatives at Mile High United Way, to unpack the complex intersection of foster care, education, housin...
School Choice, Tax Credits, and the Fight Over Access
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Erik Billinger, Chief Development Officer at ACE Scholarships, about how private school scholarship programs work and why the new federal Education Freedom...
Data Centers, Coal, and Colorado’s Environmental Fight with Sierra Club’s Garrett Royer
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Garrett Royer, Political Director at Sierra Club Colorado, about what environmental policy looks like on the ground right now—at the Capitol and at the bal...
Papa Dia on Immigration, Opportunity, and Building Community Power
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Papa M. Dia, Founder and President of the African Leadership Group (ALG), to talk about the immigrant experience beyond the headlines. Papa shares his ...
Community Power in Local Government
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Derek Okubo, former Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships, about why community engagement is essential to ...
Lobbyists Aren’t Who You Think They Are
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Sami Davis, Vice President of State Affairs at Sewald Hanfling, about what lobbying actually is and what lobbyists really do day to day during the legislative sessi...
What the Heck is Policy, Anyway
In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Jake Fogelman, Policy Director at the Independence Institute, to break down what “policy” actually is and how it differs from politics. They explain how ...
Why Policy Matters—and Why You Should Care
In the first episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard introduces the podcast and its purpose: helping people make sense of the most pressing policy issues so they can be better informed and more engaged. This episode sets the tone ...