Andy Beshear Podcast
Episode 22: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Date: September 4, 2025
Episode Overview
In this milestone episode, host Andy Beshear celebrates joining the SiriusXM Podcast Network and sits down with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (MLG) for an unscripted, high-energy conversation. They explore what drew MLG into public service, lessons from the front lines of local and national government, the crisis in federal public health leadership, the erosion of bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and the practical wins Democratic governors are delivering for their states. The conversation is personal and candid—full of humor, critique, hope, and some tough talk about the country’s current direction.
The episode also features the regular "Conversation with the Johns" panel, Gen Z lingo with Will Beshear, and Andy’s direct address on National Guard deployments in American cities.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Major Announcement: SiriusXM Partnership
- Andy Beshear shares his excitement about the podcast joining SiriusXM, emphasizing the platform's potential to foster genuine conversations across divides.
"I hope what we're going to be able to do is to bring more people together in conversations not just about politics, but sports, faith, challenges that we all face every day as Americans." (01:00)
2. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s “Why” for Public Service
- MLG recounts her unorthodox path, starting as a cabinet secretary under governors from both parties, her initial dislike of politicians, and what drew her to run for Congress:
"I didn't like politicians, even though I was working for them... And in 2007 I finally get a chance to hear Clinton and Obama debate federal healthcare reform. And that was the sexiest thing I have ever heard in my entire life." (03:34)
- Her first Congressional bid ended in defeat, but it taught her invaluable lessons in humility and campaign strategy.
"Have a campaign team. I did it by myself... You learn more from the races you lose than the race you win." (04:44)
3. Lessons from Local Government
- Local leadership is uniquely challenging and rewarding due to its intimacy and immediate accountability.
"Every decision and people come to the decisions that you make for every meeting. That's the big difference." (05:56)
- Anecdote: MLG explains her grocery store choices, citing her quest for low-fat string cheese.
- Proud local government win: Orchestrating bipartisan collaboration for infrastructure funding—a feat in notoriously fragmented local politics.
"I created a coalition... to all pool our money for the first time ever. And in two months, we were spending $95 million. And it was the fastest infrastructure interstate exchange in the history at the city of Albuquerque." (07:54)
4. The State of Public Health: A Dire National Crisis
- Both Andy and MLG express grave concerns about anti-scientific policy shifts at the federal level, particularly with RFK Jr. at HHS.
MLG: "We eradicated measles in this country... We're right on the cusp [of major breakthroughs]. And now we've got the Secretary... telling you not to trust science... People have died, children have died. More people will die. It's really an outrage." (09:49)
- Andy highlights local resurgence of diseases once thought eliminated due to national policy setbacks.
"Because we have cases in Kentucky of measles which can be so harmful." (10:41)
5. Evolving and Fracturing in Congress
- MLG describes Congress’s shift from functional bipartisan work to dysfunction and fear, exacerbated by social media and political intimidation.
"You had more rational folks who were clear about delivering for their states... Fast forward... Congress is broken." (12:18, 13:40)
- Critique of legislators abdicating constitutional responsibilities, following party or presidential whims over constituents or country.
"We don't have three branches of an independent operating government. This is really frightening, but it motivates me." (14:36)
6. Governors as Doers, Not Just Partisans
- Both stress that effective Democratic governors break with party dogma when their states’ needs demand it.
"There are things in the Democratic Party platform, they're not good for New Mexico... There's nothing wrong with that. Independence." (15:34)
- Frustration at the National Governors Association’s decline as a bipartisan policy engine due to hyper-partisanship.
"We don't do much policy. That's one, because we're broken because of the partisan nature of the world today." (16:17)
7. Delivering on Promises—What Democratic Governors Get Right
- MLG lists major New Mexico achievements under her watch:
- Free universal childcare and pre-K
- Raises for educators and healthcare workers
- Free college programs (including trades and apprenticeships)
- Economic output doubling national averages
"We're leaning in to New Mexicans. I want you to have a fair shot at every single opportunity." (19:58)
- She argues the defining Democratic advantage is delivery, not just rhetoric:
"Democratic governors... understand that our job, one job, [is] to deliver." (20:41)
8. Current Risks to State Progress: Tariffs & Federal Policy
- Economic policies, especially tariffs and cuts, are directly undermining state-level successes, raising costs and threatening essential services.
"All of us [governors], more affordable housing... the cost of everything we use to build that house is double or more... healthcare premiums are already up... just under 100,000 Mexicans are going to lose Medicaid coverage." (22:15, 23:34)
9. Humor and Human Moments
- Playful banter about podcasting, job swaps, and friendship between governors.
MLG: "I was hoping to work for you. I could. How hard is it to run the podcast?" (25:19)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On failed first campaign:
"I got trolloped in that race, I'll bet, oh, I came last out of five."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (03:34) -
On anti-science in federal government:
"Now we've got the Secretary... telling you not to trust science, not to trust medicine, not to trust doctors... People have died, children have died. More people will die."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (09:49) -
On bipartisan infrastructure wins:
"I created a coalition... Republican and Democrats, to all pool our money for the first time ever. And in two months, we were spending $95 million."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (07:54) -
On American government’s intended structure:
"All that power was never intended for one person and it wasn't intended for the White House as a collective either. We have free branches government for exactly this reason."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (14:36) -
On Democratic governors' approach:
"I don't do that. There are things in the Democratic Party platform, they're not good for New Mexico... Independence."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (15:34) -
On delivering results in New Mexico:
"We have free universal childcare, free universal pre K... free college two and four year... we're twice the national average in terms of economic output for a poor, rural, tiny state."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (19:58) -
On facing term limits:
"I want to keep working for America, so I don't know what that means in the future, but it definitely means staying connected to the people that are delivering for families like mine."
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (25:40)
Important Timestamps
- 00:08 — Andy announces SiriusXM partnership and upcoming live show.
- 03:03 — Andy introduces Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
- 03:34 — MLG discusses her entry into politics.
- 07:54 — MLG details bipartisan infrastructure breakthrough.
- 09:49 — Critique of federal public health leadership.
- 12:18-14:36 — MLG dissects the breakdown of bipartisan governance in Congress.
- 17:48-19:58 — MLG on the achievements and challenges of state leadership.
- 22:15 — MLG discusses threats posed by tariffs and federal policies.
- 25:19 — Banter about podcasting and life post-governorship.
"Conversation with the Johns" Panel Highlights
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CDC and Science: The panel expresses alarm at RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine, anti-scientific agenda leading the CDC, linking this leadership to the resurgence of measles.
"Measles is back. We had eradicated measles. That was a vaccine... but because of all of this politics, misinformation... we now have measles." — Andy Beshear (30:59)
-
Federal Reserve Shake-ups & Tariffs:
Concerns about politically-motivated removals of Federal Reserve board members and the confusing, damaging impacts of new tariffs on small businesses and consumer goods."Most of this trade policy is unlawful... It's causing prices of two things we love to go up, coffee and hamburger." — Andy Beshear (33:34)
-
Gun Violence and Policy Frustrations:
Reflection on another tragic school shooting in Minnesota, with Andy advocating for reasonable measures like red flag laws."This isn't what America is or should be. I certainly hope that we'll look at reasonable steps." — Andy Beshear (39:22)
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Lighter Notes:
- College football season, NIL (Name/Image/Likeness) deals, and humorous ribbing about sports and fashion purchases.
"If you order all off of Teemu... when it comes in, you open the box, it ends up being me... That's how TIMU works." — John Rabinowitz (35:14)
Andy’s Direct Address: National Guard on City Streets (43:23)
- Andy speaks candidly on the martial deployment of National Guards in cities, arguing it’s un-American, ineffective, and politically targeted.
"My problem with the National Guard on the streets of our cities are threefold. First, it's part of our American ethos that we don't have military walking our streets..." (43:23)
- Notes the partisan and symbolic showmanship of these National Guard deployments.
Gen Z Lingo with Will Beshear (45:16)
- Word of the day: “Gas” – meaning something is excellent, especially food.
"If you're eating something good, you look at it and say, that's gas." — Will Beshear (46:39)
- Discussion on generational language gaps, overuse of “slay,” and playful teasing among family and co-hosts.
Overall Tone and Flow
The episode is fast-paced, witty, and organically conversational, matching the unscripted, authentic tone that defines the show. There is a significant amount of levity—even as the leaders tackle serious issues—and the guests’ candor and friendship shine through.
For Listeners Who Missed It: Core Takeaways
- The political and policy divide in Washington is worsening, but state leaders, especially Democratic governors, are finding ways to deliver meaningful change.
- Michelle Lujan Grisham’s career is characterized by pragmatic, non-partisan coalition-building and creative, people-first policymaking.
- Federal anti-science, anti-cooperation trends are not just academic—they have direct, dangerous ramifications for public health, the economy, and families.
- Personal stories, humor, and human moments anchor the show, reminding listeners that politics is about people, not parties.
- The show’s transition to SiriusXM marks a new chapter aimed at bringing more Americans into honest, solution-focused dialogue.
Listen on SiriusXM’s Progress Channel, all major platforms, or on YouTube @andybeshearpodcast.