Tony Payan interviews academics, former government officials, and other experts on issues central to U.S.-Mexico relations, including trade, immigration, and public safety. New episodes are released monthly.
The podcast is hosted by the Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute in Houston, Texas. through original research, relevant solutions to binational policy issues, and the advancement of mutual understanding, we seek to have a meaningful impact on the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
Learn about our work at bakerinstitute.org/usmx.
Publisher
Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
94: Can Mexico Build Energy Resilience on Texas Gas?
Over recent decades, Mexico has increasingly run on natural gas — shifting its economic center of gravity from domestic oil to a fuel mostly imported from Texas. What are the implications for the federal government’s goal of energy sovereignty? What does it mean for renewable energy projects and Mexico’s ability to realize a lower-carbon future? And how are whole regions being reshaped through the evolution of Mexico’s energy sector?
Isidro Morales, an external fellow at the Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico, and Adrian Duhalt, a nonresident fellow at Southern Methodist University, joined Tony Payan to explore these key themes of their new co-edited volume, “New Geographies of Energy in Mexico” (Springer, 2026). They discussed Mexican energy sovereignty, Mexico’s reliance on Texas shale gas, and what is needed to build energy resilience in a rapidly changing political and ecological landscapes.
This conversation was recorded on Aug. 24, 2026.
Featured:
Adrian Duhalt, Ph.D., https://www.smu.edu/dedman/research/institutes-and-centers/texas-mexico/people/experts
Isidro Morales, Ph.D., https://macmillan.yale.edu/latam/person/isidro-morales-moreno
Mentioned:
“New Geographies of Energy in Mexico” (Springer, 2026)
More about Tony Payan, Ph.D.: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan
You can follow @BakerInstitute and @BakerInstMexico on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
29 Jun 2026
From 'Baker Briefing:' What Can We Expect From the 2026 USMCA Review?
On July 1, negotiators will begin the formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade pact affecting billions of dollars in commerce and tens of millions of workers across North America. What priorities will each country bring to the table, and how likely is a consensus to extend the agreement for another 16 years?
Ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, center experts David A. Gantz and Simon Lester joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss the negotiating landscape — one shaped by trade tensions, tariff policy, and evolving political dynamics across North America.
This conversation was recorded on June 22, 2026.
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
28 May 2026
96: Can Somos México Revitalize Mexican Democracy?
Can the emerging Somos México movement unite Mexico’s political opposition?
Since coming to power in 2018, the Morena party has maintained broad popular support. But under its rule, Mexico’s democratic institutions have faced growing strain. Judicial and electoral reforms, the dismantling of regulatory and oversight agencies, and the militarization of public security have increasingly concentrated power within the executive branch, while the country continues to face high levels of political violence.
To date, Mexico’s opposition has struggled to effectively mobilize around these challenges. Enter Somos México, a new movement that aims to promote governance grounded in rights and the rule of law, according to one of its leaders, former Mexican Sen. Emilio Álvarez Icaza.
Álvarez Icaza joined host Tony Payan to discuss democratic backsliding under Morena, the coalition behind Somos México, and the challenges of establishing a viable political party ahead of the 2027 midterm elections.
Their conversation was recorded on May 15, 2026.
Featured:
Former Sen. Emilio Álvarez Icaza, Ph.D.: https://emilioalvarezicaza.com.
More about our host, Tony Payan, Ph.D.: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/tony-payan.
You can follow @Baker_CUSMX and @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Who has been a guest on Judy Ley Allen Mexico Centered
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Isabella D’Alacio
John Lindsay-Poland
Gerardo Álvarez
Tony Payan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
35
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
84
Contact Judy Ley Allen Mexico Centered
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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