
You Might Be Right
Former Tennessee Governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen take on topics including crime, the media, gun violence, and education disparities with expert guests of differing viewpoints. From the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, "You Might be Right" aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in government, public policy, and public service by demonstrating that thoughtful civil conversations about tough topics are still possible.
Latest episodes

Sep 24, 2024 • 55min
Is the Political Left and Right a Myth? – with Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis
Brothers, professors, and authors Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss their new book “The Myth of Left and Right”, and its premise that the “left” and “right” are social groups united by tribal loyalty rather than consistent philosophies. Could a more multidimensional view of politics improve our civic discourse? This episode was recorded live at the Chattanooga Rotary Club in August 2024.

Sep 10, 2024 • 41min
What does the research say about polarization?
Rachel Kleinfeld, an expert in international relations and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, dives deep into America's political polarization. She highlights the surprising ideological agreements among citizens despite intense animosity. The discussion reveals how elected officials often hold more extreme views than the public. Solutions like ranked-choice voting and fostering civil discourse are proposed to bridge divides, along with a poignant look at how the decline of local news affects community engagement.

Aug 20, 2024 • 31min
Phil & Bill Answer Your Questions
Two years and over 200,000 downloads later, "You Might Be Righ"t has inspired listeners nationwide. To mark this milestone, we invited our most avid listeners to ask Governors Bredesen and Haslam questions about the podcast, their time in office, and current hot topics.

Aug 6, 2024 • 40min
What’s Happening with AI Right Now?
Nearly a year after the first You Might Be Right episode on AI, Michael Kratsios, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to revisit this rapidly evolving topic. They discuss recent AI developments, its societal impact, and America's role in global tech leadership.

Jun 24, 2024 • 31min
What is the history and future of presidential debates?
Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss the history of televised presidential debates, his reaction to two major party campaigns agreeing to debates this year without the Commission’s involvement, and the future of these essential civic events.

Mar 26, 2024 • 30min
How can we disagree better?
Governors from Utah and Colorado discuss 'Disagree Better' initiative, emphasizing civil discourse. They explore bridging divides, bipartisan collaboration, and finding common ground. Topics include polarization, immigration problem-solving, and respectful dialogue in politics.

Mar 12, 2024 • 48min
Is the Electoral College the best way to elect a president?
Historian Allen Guelzo of Princeton University and political scientist Daniel Ziblatt of Harvard join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to delve into our presidential election process, its history, and arguments for (and against) reform.

Feb 27, 2024 • 47min
What is the Role of Traditional Media in a Presidential Election?
Natalie Allison, national political reporter for Politico, and Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent for The Washington Post, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to examine the evolving role of traditional media in a modern presidential campaign.

Feb 13, 2024 • 45min
Can a Third-Party Candidate Succeed?
Dan DiSalvo, a political scientist and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Bill Galston, a senior fellow at Brookings and Wall Street Journal columnist, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss our two-party system and if a third-party candidate for president can be successful.

Jan 30, 2024 • 54min
Is Our Primary System Working?
Galen Druke, host and producer of the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast and Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Dispatch and host of The Remnant podcast, join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to explore the modern presidential primary system – how it evolved, how it works, how it has changed politics, and if it ultimately reflects the will of the people.