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SPF on Air
Voice of the Nation's State Senate Leaders
Episodes
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Rob Wagner
Oregon's Senate President

Episode 10

09/05/2025

Oregon Senate President Rob Wagner opens up about policy, minority voices in the legislature, and learning from fellow states in this engaging interview conducted by Rod Bray, Indiana's  Senate President Pro Tem.

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Rod Bray
Indiana’s Senate President Pro Tem

Episode 9

01/31/2025

In this fast-moving conversation, Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray (Indiana) is interviewed by Senate President Bill Ferguson (Maryland) on work-based education, the influence of family, and unexpected challenges from within a trifecta. 

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Phil Berger
North Carolina’s Senate President Pro Tem

Episode 8

09/12/2024

Senator Phil Berger — currently the longest-serving active Senate leader in the U.S. — shares his thoughts on education, energy, and advice for freshman legislators. 

Hawai’i Senate President Ron Kouchi

Episode 7

06/06/2024

In this episode, Senator Ron Kouchi describes the impact and aftermath of the tragic Lahaina wildfires of August 2023 — a crisis that reshaped state priorities overnight. 

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Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson

Episode 6

02/16/2024

Senator Ferguson describes how a teaching gig (“the toughest job I will ever have”) led him to a career in the legislature. Fourteen years later, the lessons are still coming. 

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‘The Idaho Way’ with Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder

Episode 5

02/03/2024

 Idaho is the second-fastest growing state — but is it all good news? Senator Chuck Winder describes how a population influx has impacted the budget, schools, and dynamics in the Legislature.

Rules of Behavior with Senator Lee Schoenbeck, South Dakotaʼs Senate President Pro Tem

Episode 4

01/04/2024

“You have to be an institutionalist,” says South Dakota's Lee Schoenbeck. "It does not matter what happens to you as much as what happens to your institution.” The Senate President Pro Tem talks with host Tom Finneran about accountability in the legislature and why communication is key.

New York Senate Majority Leader
Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Episode 3

1/4/2024

 "I don't take for granted being in the majority. Nothing is permanent.” Senator Stewart-Cousins discusses policy priorities and how she wants to use her time as Majority Leader and Senate President Pro Tem.

Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg

Episode 2

09/19/2023

A downside of term limits is the loss of institutional knowledge among lawmakers — so who can a senate president turn to? Senator Steve Fenberg of Colorado discussed this challenge and more in a substantive talk with host Tom Finneran, recorded at SPF's Summer Forum.

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers

Episode 1

07/03/2023

“You can be flexible without compromising your values.”  SPF On Air launches with a compelling interview with Senate President Robert Stivers of Kentucky, interviewed by SPF’s Tom Finneran. Civility in the legislature, veto power, intra- and inter-party dynamics, and more are on the agenda in this far-ranging conversation.

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