The Optimistic American

Arizona politics is increasingly dominated by attack ads, campaign slogans, and short soundbites. But what happens when candidates have the time to actually explain their ideas? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee for a long-form conversation about the future of Arizona education. Yee is running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2026 election. The conversation tackles some fundamental questions facing Arizona schools: Are students being prepared for the economy of tomorrow? How should schools respond to artificial intelligence? Why are teachers leaving the profession? What should every student know before graduating? And how should Arizona measure whether education spending is producing better outcomes? Yee discusses reading and math, STEM education, vocational training, financial literacy, teacher pay and retention, classroom management, parental involvement, and school choice. She also shares her views on preparing students for different paths after graduation, including college, skilled trades, workforce training, industry certifications, and direct entry into a career. Paul and Yee also discuss civics, U.S. history, and helping young people better understand the country they are inheriting. As Paul raises concerns about political division and a declining understanding of history, Yee explains why she wants schools to place greater emphasis on the Constitution, America’s founding principles, civil discourse, and teaching students how to understand and respectfully engage with different points of view. The conversation concludes with a broader discussion about Arizona politics and putting Arizonans ahead of politics. Paul and Yee discuss independent voters, finding common ground, and the importance of leaders working across political differences to get things done for the state. Whatever your politics, this is an opportunity to hear a statewide candidate explain her ideas at length rather than through a 30-second advertisement. Chapters: 00:00 - Arizona Politics Are Getting Ugly 05:26 - Intro 06:03 - Who is Kimberly Yee? 10:59 - What Has Arizona Education Gotten Right? 14:27 - The Billions Behind Arizona’s Public Schools 16:10 - What Should Every Student Know by Graduation? 19:41 - Is Arizona Ready for AI in the Classroom? 21:16 - Preparing Students for Arizona’s Jobs of Tomorrow 27:38 - Can AI Help Teachers Without Replacing Them? 32:31 - Why Arizona Is Struggling to Keep Teachers 37:57 - Where Are the Parents? 41:10 - Are Students Learning Enough American History? 46:02 - Can Arizona Leaders Put Party Aside? 55:45 - Final Remarks and Conclusion

Teri Ann Hourihan won the No Labels Arizona gubernatorial nomination in Arizona’s primary election. Paul Johnson didn’t support her candidacy in that primary—and Hourihan believes he hasn’t always treated her fairly. So they sat down across from one another. What followed was one of the most personal and often contentious conversations on New Frontiers. Hourihan says her North Star is fighting what she believes is corruption inside Arizona state government. She describes her own Medicaid-related case, alleges fraud inside government, names officials she believes bear responsibility, and argues that some should lose their jobs. Then the interview gets personal. Hourihan and Johnson confront the history between them and why she believes he treated her unfairly during the campaign. At times, the conversation becomes emotional. They also discuss Arizona’s water future, education, Andy Biggs, Governor Katie Hobbs, healthcare, Medicaid, and other issues facing the state. The two disagree over white privilege. Hourihan challenges Johnson directly about his own privilege. Johnson says he considers himself enormously privileged—starting with being an American—but questions whether assigning privilege based on race can become unnecessarily divisive and obscure the hardships of individual lives. And then they reverse the interview. Hourihan gets the opportunity to question Johnson. She asks why the party hasn’t endorsed her after voters nominated her for governor. She asks what he really thinks of her. Johnson answers both questions directly. This isn’t always a comfortable interview. It’s a conversation about alleged corruption, grievance, trauma, race, political independence—and whether two people who genuinely disagree can sit across from each other, ask difficult questions, and actually listen to the answers. Chapters: 00:00 - Coming Up… 01:04 - Paul Johnson’s Opening Remarks 07:51 - Meet Arizona Governor Candidate Teri Ann Hourihan 08:41 - Teri Hourihan Alleges Fraud & Corruption in Arizona Government 29:29 - The Feud Between Paul Johnson & Teri Hourihan 46:33 - Teri Hourihan on Andy Biggs & the Arizona Governor Race 48:42 - Arizona’s Water Crisis & the State’s Future 55:22 - Should Arizona Give Trump Its Voter Rolls? 1:01:28 - Democratic Socialism, White Privilege & Political Division 1:13:35 - Fixing Arizona’s Education System 1:23:19 - Arizona Prison Reform & Reducing Recidivism 1:27:14 - AHCCCS, Medicaid Cuts & Arizona’s Healthcare Budget 1:38:51 - Teri Hourihan Turns the Questions on Paul Johnson 1:52:50 - Final Remarks and Conclusion

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and economist Elliott Pollack to discuss three major forces reshaping American politics and the economy. The panel examines the U.S. national debt and federal deficit, rising interest rates, Social Security, inflation, defense spending, and whether Republicans or Democrats are prepared to make the difficult choices needed to address America’s fiscal problems. The conversation then turns to the rise of Democratic Socialism, its growing influence on the Democratic Party, and what it could mean for the 2026 elections and 2028 presidential race. They also explore Donald Trump, MAGA, political populism, and the growing frustration with America’s two-party system. Finally, Paul shares an update on No Labels Party of Arizona and the independent movement, including bipartisan endorsements, open primaries, ballot access, and efforts to support pragmatic candidates across the political spectrum. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:27 - Can America Afford More Military Spending? 12:30 - America’s Growing Debt & Deficit Problem 19:34 - Is It Worth Balancing the Federal Budget? 26:56 - Does Either Party Have a Pro-Growth Agenda? 30:08 - The Rise of Democratic Socialism 42:44 - When Politics Becomes Tribal 47:09 - Antisemitism, Israel & the Political Divide 50:18 - No Labels Party of Arizona 59:15 - Final Remarks and Conclusion

What would Andy Biggs do as Governor of Arizona? In this episode of The New Frontiers, Congressman and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs sits down with Paul Johnson and Henry Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation about his vision for Arizona and the major political and economic issues shaping the state’s future. Biggs addresses one of the biggest controversies surrounding his political career — the 2020 election — and discusses how he would approach future election results as governor. From there, the conversation turns to Arizona’s economy, affordability, housing, water, education, energy, and the growing role of independent voters. Topics Discussed in This Episode: - Andy Biggs’ path from attorney to Congress and the Freedom Caucus - Federal spending, the national debt, and the federal budget deficit - Donald Trump and the 2020 election - Arizona’s economy and eliminating the state income tax - Arizona’s housing affordability crisis - Arizona’s water future and the Colorado River - School choice, ESAs, charter schools, and education reform - AI, data centers, and Arizona’s growing energy demands - Katie Hobbs and the Arizona governor’s race - The growing influence of independent voters With Arizona facing major decisions over its economy and future, this conversation gives voters an opportunity to hear Andy Biggs explain his positions, priorities, and vision for the state in his own words. Watch the full interview and decide for yourself: Does Andy Biggs have the vision to lead Arizona into the future? Chapters: 00:00 - Political Extremism & the Future of Arizona 08:42 - Introduction 09:53 - Who Is Andy Biggs? 15:52 - The Freedom Caucus & America’s National Debt 25:37 - Andy Biggs on Trump & Future Elections 27:49 - Has Arizona’s Economy Peaked? 30:47 - Eliminating Arizona’s State Income Tax 34:04 - Socialism vs Free Markets 40:11 - Solving Arizona’s Housing Affordability Crisis 45:08 - Arizona’s Water Crisis & the Colorado River 59:45 - School Choice & the Future of Arizona Education 1:10:12 - AI, Data Centers & Arizona’s Energy Future 1:14:29 - What Has Katie Hobbs Done Right? 1:15:41 - Andy Biggs on Independent Voters 1:18:07 - Final Remarks and Conclusion

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and political scientist Henry Thompson for an in-depth discussion on the political forces reshaping Arizona, the United States, and even the rest of the world. The conversation begins with the surprising results of Arizona's 2026 primary elections, including the unexpected upset in the No Labels of Arizona gubernatorial race. From there, the panel examines what these elections reveal about independent voters, the future of third-party politics, and whether America's political middle is becoming increasingly difficult to find. The discussion then expands to national and international politics, covering everything from the rise of Democratic Socialism and the continued influence of Donald Trump to America's role in the Iran conflict and the political shifts taking place across Europe. Throughout the episode, the panel asks one central question: Can the political center survive, or are voters being pushed further toward the extremes? In this episode: Arizona's 2026 primary election results The future of independent and third-party candidates The rise of Democratic Socialism and its impact on Democrats Trump's influence on the Republican Party Independent voters and the battle for the political middle The Iran conflict and America's foreign policy Political lessons from Europe and the rest of the world