Freedom Rising with Andrew Lewis tackles the biggest issues impacting Pennsylvania and the nation. With compelling interviews and insightful commentary, Freedom Rising shows viewers how they can expand freedom in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania was the birthplace of freedom in America, and it can become a beacon of freedom yet again.
Freedom Rising is a production of the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based think tank that transforms free-market ideas into public policies, empowering all Pennsylvanians to thrive.
No two children are alike. So why should every child be expected to succeed in the same education system?
On this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Reverend Joshua Robertson, founder of Black Pastors United for Education, and Rachel Langan, senior education policy analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation, to explore why educational freedom matters.
Reverend Robertson shares his remarkable journey from struggling to read as a young adult to building learning centers that help students succeed. Langan explains how her family's experience during COVID-19 school closures changed her perspective on education and why Pennsylvania needs more options for students and parents.
From school choice and student achievement to education funding reform, this conversation makes the case for putting children first and giving every family the freedom to find the right educational fit.
30 Sept 2026
The Case for Smaller Government
How much power should unelected bureaucrats have—and how much should taxpayers be willing to spend?
On this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Phil Kerpen of American Commitment and Pennsylvania State Rep. Dallas Kephart to examine two ways government keeps growing: spending more and exercising more regulatory power. They discuss the Taxpayer Protection Act, the REINS Act, government spending limits, and why putting more decisions back in the hands of elected lawmakers could help restore accountability and economic freedom.
15 Sept 2026
How Socialism DESTROYS the American Dream
Socialism is gaining traction among young Americans—but why? In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Nick Freitas, former Virginia legislator, Green Beret, combat veteran, and host of Making the Argument, to examine why socialist ideas are resonating with a new generation and how economic illiteracy is fueling their appeal.
They discuss the difference between equal opportunity and forced equality, why government control of the economy ultimately requires control over people, and how education shapes the way Americans understand capitalism, freedom, and personal responsibility.
2 Sept 2026
When States Lead, America Wins: Featuring Former Gov. Scott Walker
As governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker became one of the country’s most prominent advocates for giving states more power to govern—and proved that state-level reforms can have a national impact.
On this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Walker to discuss the lessons he learned in office, from taking on powerful public-sector unions to advancing reforms that put more power in the hands of states, communities, and individuals.
From Wisconsin’s experience to the challenges facing Pennsylvania and other states, Walker and Lewis discuss federalism, political leadership, and the importance of states charting their own course.
They also explore the troubling decline in patriotism among young Americans and why a stronger understanding of our country’s founding principles matters for the future of freedom.
19 Aug 2026
America Needs Pennsylvania’s Energy
Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest natural gas reserves on the planet. It exports electricity, supports high-paying energy jobs, and has the potential to expand its nuclear power capacity. So why not make the most of it?
On Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis welcomes Mark Mills of the National Center for Energy Analytics for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Pennsylvania energy.
They examine the impact of geopolitical instability on oil and gas markets, the costs and reliability challenges associated with renewable-energy mandates, the regulatory barriers facing energy development, and the role Pennsylvania can play in meeting America’s growing demand for electricity.
As energy demand rises, the choice is increasingly clear: embrace Pennsylvania’s energy abundance or constrain it with policies that make power more expensive and less reliable.
29 Jul 2026
Could This Be the Biggest School Choice Victory Yet?
The new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) could dramatically expand educational opportunity across America—but only if governors choose to opt in.
Andrew Lewis sits down with Tommy Schultz of the American Federation for Children, Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE Scholarships, and David Hardy, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Commonwealth Foundation, to discuss what this landmark law means for students, parents, and the future of school choice.
They also explain why Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro should opt in so Pennsylvania families can benefit from this historic opportunity instead of seeing those resources flow to other states.
7 Jul 2026
Inside Pennsylvania's Budget Battle
What really happens behind closed doors during Pennsylvania's budget negotiations?
Andrew Lewis sits down with former Pennsylvania Senate Secretary-Parliamentarian Megan Martin (now Commonwealth Foundation's COO and General Counsel) for an insider's look at how the Commonwealth's most important legislation gets negotiated, debated, and passed. Then, Commonwealth Foundation Chief Policy Officer Nathan Benefield breaks down why this year's budget fight matters, from record spending and the Rainy Day Fund to school choice and the reforms needed to protect taxpayers.
If you've ever wondered why the state budget is about far more than dollars and cents, this episode takes you inside the process.
2 Jul 2026
The Choice That Changed My Life
A single educational opportunity can change the course of a life.
Andrew Lewis sits down with two Pennsylvanians whose lives were transformed by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which is under attack by the Democrat majority in the state House of Representatives.
National champion wrestler Bo Bassett shares how EITC helped him find an environment where he could thrive—setting him on a path to Virginia Tech and international competition. Then, Soviet immigrant Kate Pukhovich reflects on growing up without educational or religious freedom and explains why EITC scholarships gave her daughter opportunities she never imagined possible.
As lawmakers debate the future of Pennsylvania's scholarship programs, these personal stories remind us that behind every policy are real families, real dreams, and life-changing opportunities.
24 Jun 2026
Trust Parents, Not Bureaucracies
Pennsylvania spends nearly $24,000 per student each year, yet fewer than one-third of eighth graders are proficient in math and reading.
In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with State Rep. Joe D'Orsie and Empower Mississippi CEO Grant Callen to explore why more spending isn't translating into better results, and what can be done about it.
They discuss school choice, Lifeline Scholarships, education savings accounts, cyber charters, and the growing movement to give parents more control over their children's education. They also examine Mississippi's remarkable academic turnaround and what Pennsylvania can learn from it.
What we learn could reshape the future of education in Pennsylvania.
10 Jun 2026
From Red Tape to Red Carpet
Pennsylvania state government has been notorious for red tape. Now lawmakers are working to roll out the red carpet to make the permitting process more efficient.
Andrew Lewis sits down with Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill to discuss the surprising history of "red tape," the fight to reform Pennsylvania's permitting system, and the policies helping projects move faster without sacrificing accountability.
It's a conversation about transparency, economic growth, and what happens when government starts serving the people instead of the process.
3 Jun 2026
Can Pennsylvania Afford This Budget?
Pennsylvania is spending more than it takes in. What happens next?
Andrew Lewis welcomes taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist to discuss the national tax landscape before turning to a pressing question closer to home: Can Pennsylvania sustain a budget that spends billions more than projected revenues?
The conversation includes topics from state tax competition to government spending, school choice, and economic growth. This episode examines how policy decisions today will shape Pennsylvania's future for decades to come.
20 May 2026
Don't California My Pennsylvania
What do California’s budget problems, homelessness crisis, and alleged welfare fraud scandals all have in common?
According to California Policy Center CEO Will Swaim, they’re the predictable result of government expansion without accountability. Andrew Lewis chats with Swaim and explores how California’s policies became a cautionary tale for the rest of the country.
After learning about the bad policies affecting California, Lewis then speaks with Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Leadbeter about how Pennsylvania can avoid the same fate.
The future of Pennsylvania depends on the choices made in Harrisburg right now.
6 May 2026
From the Strait of Hormuz to Pennsylvania
What does a shipping lane halfway around the world have to do with your energy bill?
Andrew Lewis and Victoria Coates of The Heritage Foundation connect global unrest to local consequences, from threats in the Strait of Hormuz to rising demand for American natural gas. They explore how Pennsylvania’s energy resources can stabilize global markets, support allies, and strengthen U.S. security—if policymakers allow it.
29 Apr 2026
Educational Choice Changes Lives
Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families are still waiting for access to a better education.
In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Rep. Martina White and Keisha Jordan to discuss why educational choice is essential, not optional, for students stuck in failing schools. From scholarship waitlists to real-world success stories, they explore how empowering parents with choice leads to better outcomes for kids.
Because when it comes to education, every kid deserves to attend a school that helps them learn, grow, and succeed.
15 Apr 2026
Stopping the Pennsylvania Exodus
Every 24 minutes, someone leaves Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania isn’t just competing with neighboring states — it’s competing with the fastest-growing economies in the country.
In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis examines how tax policy and government spending influence where people choose to live and work, joined by Andrew Wilford of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
From there, the Commonwealth Foundation's Nathan Benefield and Elizabeth Stelle outline a roadmap to make Pennsylvania more competitive — including the Taxpayer Protection Act, welfare reform, and expanding educational choice.
Pennsylvania has everything it needs to be a top state for jobs, growth, and opportunity — but policymakers have some important choices to make that will determine whether the commonwealth leads or falls further behind.
1 Apr 2026
Why Your Electric Bill Is So High
Pennsylvania energy prices have surged — up 46% since 2018 — but the reason isn’t complicated.
In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis breaks down what’s really driving higher electricity bills with State Rep. Josh Kail and former Pennsylvania Utility Commission Chairman Glen Thomas. From government mandates and stalled infrastructure to the threat of carbon taxes, they explain how bad policy decisions are squeezing consumers and threatening the reliability of the energy grid.
Pennsylvania has the resources to power the next economic revolution — but only if policymakers get government out of the way.
18 Mar 2026
Government Unions vs. The Taxpayer
Public-sector unions were created to protect workers — so how did they become partisan political powerhouses?
In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis speaks with David Osborne of the Commonwealth Foundation and Tyler O'Neil of The Daily Signal to investigate how union dues and government grant money flow into activist organizations and partisan campaigns. They reveal:
How union dues are automatically deducted using government systems
Why nearly all union political spending favors one party
How activist groups influence federal agencies from the inside
What state and federal reforms would give power back to taxpayers
4 Mar 2026
If You Win Pennsylvania, You Win America
Pennsylvania has backed the winning presidential candidate in five straight elections — and according to top pollster Patrick Ruffini, that’s no accident.
Host Andrew Lewis talks with Ruffini to break down why the Commonwealth is the most consequential swing state in the country, how the GOP became the party of the working class, and why energy affordability and school choice are reshaping political coalitions across racial and demographic lines.
This episode explores a powerful idea: transform Pennsylvania — and you can save America.
18 Feb 2026
Massive Fraud in Pennsylvania? What We Know.
Could Minnesota-style fraud be occurring in Pennsylvania? When he was Attorney General, now-Governor Josh Shapiro warned there could be $3 billion in Medicaid fraud. But as governor, Shapiro has resisted the reforms that are needed to stop fraudsters and protect taxpayers. What changes are needed?
Host Andrew Lewis talks to two expert guests about fraud and how to fight it: First, John Hinderaker, President of Minnesota's Center of the American Experiment, breaks down what's going on in his home state. Then Andrew talks with Pennsylvania State Rep. David Rowe, chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, about policy solutions he's supporting.
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