Advertise on podcast: Second Reading Podcast

Rating

★★★★★

4.5

from

4 reviews

Description

Analysis of Texas Politics by Jim and Josh from the Texas Politics Project. Texas Podcast Network is brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. Podcasts are produced by faculty members and staffers at UT Austin who work with University Communications to craft content that adheres to journalistic best practices. The University of Texas at Austin offers these podcasts at no charge. Podcasts appearing on the network and this webpage represent the views of the hosts, not of The University of Texas at Austin.

Unlock Second Reading Podcast podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Second Reading Podcast podcast

Talking 2026 Election Politics with Ross Ramsey

2026/10/09

Ross Ramsey, co-founder and former Editor of The Texas Tribune, joins James Henson to put the 2026 election campaign in perspective. They discuss the factors making the state more competitive, and how deep the change in Texas politics evident this cycle go. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben and edited by Brianna Padron.

Looking Down Ballot at Dynamics in Texas’ Congressional and Legislative Races

2026/10/01

James Henson and Joshua Blank abandon the top of the ballot this week to look at the state of play in Congressional and legislative elections in Texas. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben and edited by Brianna Padron.

So much Texas 2026 polling, so little time!

2026/09/24

Jim Henson and Joshua Blank talk about the ins and outs of all the polling data being generated in the Texas 2026 election, how to read it, and what it’s telling us so far. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben and edited by Brianna Padron.

What we can and can’t know about the 2026 election today

2026/09/17

Spurred on by two new statewide polls, James Henson and Josh Blank look at the knowns and unknowns in the Texas election environment. Call it an exercise in epistemological humility. This episode was recorded by Will Kurzner and edited by Brianna Padron.

Will Trumpapalooza help Texas Republicans?

2026/09/10

James Henson and Joshua Blank look at Texas public opinion (and vibes) to assess the possible impact of the 2026 National Convention in Dallas on elections in Texas. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben, and mixed by Brianna Padron.

Data Centers Aren’t Reigning Over Texas Public Opinion

2026/09/03

While the latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll found very mixed expectations among Texas voters about the expected impact of data centers in different domains, James Henson and Joshua Blank discuss the results and look at how messaging from a pro-data center group, and from Gov. Abbott, align with the perceived trade-offs revealed in the latest […]

What the Latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll Tells Us About the 2026 Election in Texas

2026/08/26

With new polling data from the August poll, James Henson and Joshua Blank talk over what the trial ballots and other election-related items can and can’t tell us about the state of Texas races as summer winds down.

How big a problem is rural discontent for Texas Republicans in the election?

2026/08/20

James Henson and Joshua Blank look at public opinion data from rural Texas to assess how big a problem Republicans have among rural voters.

Interpreting Tightening Polling in U.S. Senate Race in Texas

2026/08/06

James Henson and Joshua Blank return from a July podcasting hiatus to catch up on Texas polling in the Senate and gubernatorial races, and consider the influences on the election environment in Texas. This episode was recorded by Xayda Garza and mixed by Astrid Alvarez and Julie Rios

Big SCOTUS Cases and the Emergence of Stronger Parties in the U.S. and Texas

2026/07/02

James Henson & Joshua Blank look at Texas intersections with this week’s big Supreme Court decisions, and ponder the seeming emergence of stronger political parties in the U.S. and Texas. This episode was recorded by Astrid Alvarez and mixed by Uriel Murillo

Increased Partisan Intensity, a Close Senate Race, and Data Center Backlash in the New Texas Politics Project Poll

2026/06/23

James Henson and Joshua Blank look at 2026 Texas trial ballots and strikingly negative views of data centers and AI in the June Texas Politics Project Poll. This episode was engineered and mixed by Uriel Murillo.

Gov. Abbott Sends Strong Signals on Texas Data Centers

2026/06/11

In the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott’s signal-rich letter to Texas utility regulators on data centers in Texas, James Henson and Joshua Blank assess the public opinion on the issue and wade into the thicket of politics and policy as attention to the issue among policymakers and stakeholders grows. This episode was recorded and edited […]

Both parties gear up for Texas legislative races + the long shadow of 2018

2026/06/04

After a week in which Texas Republicans circled the wagons for legislative elections and national Democrats announced #txlege targets, James Henson and Joshua Blank look at the landscape for legislative races, and compare differences and similarities in public opinion in 2018 and 2026. This episode was engineered by Els Brady, and mixed by Uriel Murillo.

The Texas Republican Base Has Spoken: What’s Next?

2026/05/28

In the wake of run-off wins by GOP candidates like Ken Paxton, Mayes Middleton, and Bo French, James Henson and Joshua Blank talk about dynamics in both parties, and what’s comes next in the general election and governing circles in Texas.

Texas GOP Worries About Base Turnout Continue as Immigration Agenda Shifts

2026/05/14

James Henson and Joshua Blank join the response to the much-discussed memo from Ragnar Research’s Chris Perkins on signs of sagging participation among Republican primary voters in Texas, and make some connections with the shifting politics of immigration and border security in the Texas GOP. This episode was engineered by Lucas Toussaint and mixed by […]

Podcast reviews

Read Second Reading Podcast podcast reviews

4.5 out of 5

4 reviews

★★★★★

State Rep White 2025/09/01

08/28/25

Not the nick, the Real James White; one of the best episodes. You know one point in recent history, Republicans benefitted from racial redistricting t...

★★★☆☆

yasssssss bruhhhhhh 2023/11/01

Stop interrupting each other

I like this podcast a lot but the hosts often interrupt each other mid sentence. It feels chaotic and stressful to listen to at moments.

check all reviews on apple podcasts