Session Sessions
Indiana State Representatives Earl Harris, Jr. and Blake Johnson host fellow legislators and experts to share an inside look at the Indiana General Assembly, explain bills moving through the legislative session and showcase the policies and processes that are shaping our state.
Episodes
27 episodes
Happy Hour w/Rep. Ethan Manning
After a few months off, Blake and Earl are back at the mic for a conversation with auctioneer, realtor, cowboy, and - for the first time on the show, Republican - Rep. Ethan Manning. Rep. Manning, who chairs the Public Policy Committee, discuss...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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28:39
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy w/Linda Hanson (League of Women Voters)
Advocacy in the Statehouse takes many forms, and while people often think of the paid professionals who spend their days in the hallways, nonprofit organizations also play a crucial role in educating constituents and championing issues. Linda H...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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31:31
Dollars and Sense w/Rep. Greg Porter
Rep. Greg Porter, chief Democrat on the powerful Ways and Mean Committee, rejoins the podcast to reflect on the 2024 legislative session and to give us a preview as we look to the interim and the upcoming budget session.
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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35:04
Sine Die w/Rep. Mitch Gore
With the adjournment of the 123rd General Assembly, Rep. Mitch Gore joins the podcast to talk conference committees, legislative successes and the toll the stresses of the short session can take.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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34:30
Retirements, Transit and the Home Stretch w/Rep. Phil GiaQuinta
The end of the legislative session is fast approaching, and with it the end of the 123rd General Assembly. The esteemed Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta joins the show to discuss House member retirements, ongoing attacks on transit in Indy, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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35:47
The Best and Worst of the First Half w/Rep. Ed Delaney
As we head into the break, the ever-straight-talking Rep. Ed Delaney joins the pod to discuss the best and worst bills of the first half of the Indiana Legislative Session.
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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36:56
Serving with Gusto w/Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn
Upon joining the legislature, Dr. Victoria Garcia Wilburn immediately set herself apart as a focused, driven and community-centered leader. And her hard work paid off, as she accomplished the rare feat of passing a bill in her first year. She t...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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33:43
Is There a Second? w/Rep. Cherrish Pryor
Once an intern for the legendary Bill Crawford and the now-still-rocking Sheila Klinker, Rep. Cherrish Pryor now serves as the Floor Leader for the House Democratic Caucus. Pryor sits down with Earl and Blake to discuss her role in leadership, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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31:41
The Start of the Short Session
Earl and Blake kick off the 2024 Legislative Session with a rundown of what happens in the first week, what issues are rising to the top (as Republicans suggest a non-controversial year), and what you can expect from this year's podcast.
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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32:59
Season 2 Trailer
Session Sessions is back for a second season, and we're kicking it up a notch with the addition of co-host Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. This season, we'll chat with our colleagues and friends about all things Indiana General Assembly and provide a loo...
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Season 2
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Episode 0
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1:10
Representative Dad w/Reps. Mitch Gore and Ryan Hatfield
A month after the birth of his first child, Blake sits down with fellow dads Rep. Mitch Gore of Indianapolis and Rep. Ryan Hatfield of Evansville to discuss the collision of public service and fatherhood, tips and tricks for the legislative ses...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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30:23
Sine Die w/Rep. Blake Johnson
The Indiana General Assembly has adjourned sine die, wrapping up the work of the legislature in the wee hours of the morning this past Friday. With everyone headed back to their districts, Rep. Blake Johnson flies solo for a quick (albeit late)...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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7:57
Hurry Up and Wait w/Rep. Ed DeLaney
Fresh off his 80th birthday, Rep. Ed DeLaney joins the podcast to recap our penultimate week of the legislative session. We also discuss the power of a good amendment, what to watch as we cruise toward adjournment, and his 30 days of sile...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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21:56
Institutional Knowledge w/Rep. Matt Pierce
If you had I Love Lucy and Austin Powers on your Session Sessions bingo card, this week is for you. Rules and procedure expert Rep. Matt Pierce joins the pod to discuss the wild ride that will be the final two weeks of session, including a run ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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21:49
Mastering the Rules and Writing the Budget w/Rep. Greg Porter
Long-time legislator, Rep. Greg Porter, sits down to recap the events of the day and week, including procedural maneuvering by House Democrats that yielded the very first floor vote on the issue of cannabis legalization in Indiana. He also shar...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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32:17
Concurrences, Interns and Long Drives w/Rep. Ryan Hatfield
Ahead of his two and a half hour drive home, Rep. Ryan Hatfield joins us to react to a frustrating week in the Statehouse, including final passage of bills that targeted the trans community as well as legislation removing protections for wetlan...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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22:08
The Good, The Bad and The Fights Worth Fighting w/Rep. Carey Hamilton
Coming off of a tough defeat in the annual House v. Senate basketball game, we're joined by Indiana House Democratic Caucus Chair, Rep. Carey Hamilton. We discuss a few of the Democratic bills that are in the final stretch, our ongoing fight to...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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19:26
The Bubble w/Chris Campaniolo
Tucked away in the back corner of the Indiana House Chamber is the action-packed, fast-paced, epicenter of motions, amendments, committee reports and resolutions...known affectionately as "the bubble." We sit down with Chris Campaniolo, chief l...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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25:02
The Handoff w/Senator Andrea Hunley
The break is over. Senate bills are headed to the House, and House bills are headed to the Senate. With the handoff underway, Senator Andrea Hunley joins the podcast to discuss some of the Senate bills to watch (including her work to reduce fat...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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27:22
Class is in Session w/Rep. Tonya Pfaff
Following a hectic week in the House of Representatives, including debate over the state budget, Rep. Tonya Pfaff shares insights from her service on Education, Elections and Apportionment, and Ways and Means - committees that played host to a ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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22:18
Civility in Government w/Rep. Earl Harris, Jr.
Just moments after the House passed his bill, HB 1449 regarding 21st Century Scholars, the always civil Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. sat down to discuss a productive week for House Democrats, controversial legislation on firearm training for teachers,...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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28:09
In the Lobby w/Kip Tew
Gallup's annual Honesty/Ethics in Professions survey reveals that Americans rate lobbyists dead last in terms of the 22 professions evaluated on the topic. Despite ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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25:08
He's Not Jake Teshka w/Rep. Kyle Miller
Since joining the Indiana House of Representatives this year, Rep. Kyle Miller has been consistently mistaken for Rep. Jake Teshka. He was also a stand-in on this episode due to a scheduling conflict with Rep. Porter, but the bottom line is thi...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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26:55
Oh Captain, My Captain w/Leader Phil GiaQuinta
This is no ordinary episode. We've got the one and only Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, Minority Leader of the Indiana House of Representatives, joining us to discuss what happened this week, how a bill can go in reverse through the process, and what it's...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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32:16
Drinking from a Waterfall w/Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn
Drinking from a firehose? Try drinking from a waterfall. We sit down this week with Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, one of the newest members of the legislature, to recap a busy week at the statehouse and discuss what it's like to onboard to the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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31:45