Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on America250: Faith, Family, the Founding Fathers and the Future of AI
SmartHER NewsShow Notes
As we approach Father's Day and 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, we share a truly unique conversation that highlights the intersection between parenting, policy and our current political environment with one of the nation's leading political figures — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Gov. Shapiro shares personal insight into his life behind the scenes as a father of 4 and describes what has shaped his leadership perspective at the helm of one of America's largest and most politically consequential states. This quick-moving conversation covers a wide range of topics — from an arson attack at the governor's residence (while he and his family slept) to legislating cursive in schools to wrestling with how to harness one of the key technologies of our time: artificial intelligence. As we reflect on America's Founding Fathers, we ask the question: Who will lead America in the next 250 years? Governor Shapiro kicks off the first conversation in this series. Who should we interview next? Let us know: [email protected] Your presence means the world to us! Thank you for supporting a FREE and independent press. Our Insiders listened to and watched this interview FIRST. Here's how to become an Insider and help us build a solution in news: quick, concise, nonpartisan, SmartHER News. 00:00 Why Pennsylvania Matters 01:03 Meeting Josh Shapiro 02:45 Path Into Public Service 04:28 Politics Without Hate 05:51 Family Challenges Shaping Leadership 07:37 Marriage and Fatherhood Lessons 09:58 Kids Change Your Politics 12:48 Faith Beyond Religion 15:00 Arson Attack Aftermath 17:59 Violence and Community Healing 20:16 Cursive Makes a Comeback 22:28 AI in Government and Guardrails 26:19 Leading on the Next Big Issues 28:06 America at 250 Years 30:33 Town Hall Invitation and Wrap
More from SmartHER News
Some describe this exchange as the "most viral moment" fo the 2026 election cycle.
The latest on a rare owl nest in NYC, the shortest White House press secretary tenure in recorded history and how much the war in the Middle East has cost the average American household. Your news update in 15 minutes! Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan. SmartHER.
What do the cases of Lindsay Clancy, Nolan Wells and Cornell have in common? They highlight the importance of a legal procedure often forgotten in our justice system that's critical to whether or not a case heads to court: a grand jury. Join a wide-ranging conversation with attorney and founder of Unbiased, Jordan Berman, who uses her legal expertise to explain the importance of the grand jury process, why it matters and what it means in these 3 stories. 00:00 The Missing Link in Three Legal Cases 00:57 Finding Common Ground in Nonpartisan News 03:20 Meet Jordan Berman, Founder of Unbiased 06:12 What Gets Lost in the Headlines 08:37 Why Grand Juries Matter 09:45 Inside the Grand Jury Process 14:15 Nolan Wells: What No Indictment Means 18:29 Lindsay Clancy: Indictment vs. Trial 22:32 Cornell: The Decision Not to Pursue Charges 30:07 How Media Coverage Shapes Public Opinion 33:04 Ilhan Omar: Questions About the Search Warrant 37:17 What We Don't See Behind the Headlines
Your catch-up on news after a holiday weekend! **As we published this report, news broke of Ambassador Guilfoyle's resignation.
What does justice look like—and who decides? Jenna and podcast host Mary Katharine Ham discuss Christa Pike's case in Tennessee and the broader questions it raises about the death penalty, including the time between sentencing and execution. They also reflect on three years since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the changing Middle East and the words news organizations use to tell these stories. Along the way: the court of public opinion, a brief look at media coverage of the Cornell case, and how the information we receive shapes our understanding. Plus, parenting styles, a favorite hydration drink and making more time to read with our kids. Want to go beyond the headline? Become a SmartHER News Insider and join the conversation — with our private community, exclusive podcast feed and more. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome to SmartHER News 01:03 Real Life, Parenting & Consequences 04:34 What Does Justice Look Like? 07:01 Christa Pike & the Death Penalty 12:21 Fort Hood & the Execution Debate 14:45 The Eighth Amendment: Cruel & Unusual Punishment 16:29 Public Opinion, Cornell & Media Coverage 19:57 Three Years After Oct. 7 23:49 How the Media Describes Hamas 26:51 Israeli Politics & the Language of War 28:52 The Nova Exhibition & Remembering the Victims 32:01 Marco Rubio's Speech in Greece 35:24 Iran & the Ripple Effects Across the Middle East 37:08 Something SmartHER: Hydration 39:49 Less Scrolling, More Reading 43:11 Wrap-Up Show Notes: Jocko Fuel Hydrate (commissionable link)