Ep. 43: Inside the Tennessee Legislature with Longtime Nashville Lobbyist, Brian Bivens

Ep. 43: Inside the Tennessee Legislature with Longtime Nashville Lobbyist, Brian Bivens

Author: Angie Lawless and Brandon Miller February 6, 2025 Duration: 1:05:26
Climbing the Charts with Angie Lawless and Brandon Miller
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Tennessee's legislature isn't just partisan—it's often polarizing. Inside the House chambers, Democrats and Republicans disparage one another, at times—outside, they rarely engage.

Has the proverbial political aisle been stretched too far to reach across? 

It wasn't always this way. There was once camaraderie and compromise.

Few understand this culture shift better than Brian Bivens. The East Tennessee native has spent the last 25 years lobbying elected officials.

But Bivens bent ears long before he was in the business of bending ears. His father, Steve Bivens, served in the State House from 1978 to 1992. The Cleveland guidance counselor was the House Majority Whip at a time when Democrats ruled the roost.

In this episode of Climbing the Charts, Angie Lawless and Brandon Miller sit down with Bivens to examine Tennessee's legislature—its present, past, and personalities.


Climbing the Charts with Angie Lawless and Brandon Miller is a conversation about the forces that shape our daily lives, from local policy to global scientific discovery. Angie and Brandon aren't just observers; they're active participants who believe understanding these complex systems is the first step toward genuine involvement. This podcast digs into the news and social currents that might feel abstract, making them tangible and relevant to your own neighborhood. You'll hear discussions that connect political decisions with their real-world impact, explore how scientific advancements alter our social fabric, and question what it means to build a meaningful community in a fragmented world. Each episode is an invitation to look closer and think deeper, offering perspectives that help you navigate the information landscape with more clarity and purpose. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that refuses to separate science from politics, or social trends from personal responsibility, all with the aim of fostering a more informed and connected citizenry. Find Climbing the Charts wherever you listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

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