Main Street Matters

Main Street Matters

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Episodes

August 8, 2025 • 36 mins

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Dan Furman discuss the definition of small businesses, the impact of interest rates on small business growth, and the challenges posed by national debt and regulations. Dan emphasizes the importance of optimism in entrepreneurship and encourages small business owners to invest in their growth despite fluctuating interest rates. The conversation also touches on the effects of...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Jerrod Sessler, a Trump-endorsed congressional candidate and successful entrepreneur. They discuss Jerrod's journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a business owner and his motivations for running for office. The conversation delves into the importance of small businesses in America, the need for deregulation, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the current...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Todd Sheets, an economist and author, discussing the impact of government policies on small businesses, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the importance of maintaining economic freedom. They explore the founding stories of successful companies like Home Depot, the challenges posed by government control, and the implications of tariffs on the economy. Todd emphasize...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Preston Brashers of The Heritage Foundation break down how President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” could reshape tax policy and benefit small businesses. They highlight the bill’s potential to lock in lower tax rates for middle-income Americans, examine the flawed CBO scoring process, and explain how the reconciliation process affects fiscal policy. Th...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Alfredo Ortiz interviews Michael Whatley, Chairman of the Republican National Committee. They discuss the significance of rescission packages, the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on small businesses, trade strategies, the role of regulations, and the importance of a balanced budget. Whatley shares insights on his journey to chairmanship and the current economic trends affecting small bus...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Gene Marks discuss the pressing challenges faced by small businesses, including rising costs, cash flow issues, and the impact of high interest rates. They explore the effects of inflation, tariffs, and international trade dynamics on the economy. The conversation also covers the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for small businesses, the significance of education fr...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Guy Berkebile, founder of Guy Chemical Company, about the significant impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on small businesses. They discuss Berkebile's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced, and how tax policies have enabled him to invest in his company and community. The conversation also touches on the importance of retaining youth in small towns, the im...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Alfredo Ortiz speaks with Carlos Gazitua, CEO of Sergio's Cuban Restaurant, about the challenges and successes of running a family-owned restaurant in South Florida. They discuss the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes significant tax benefits for small businesses, and how these changes can help entrepreneurs grow and invest in their businesses. Carlos shares his in...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Breitbart's John Carney discuss the latest job numbers, the implications of government hiring, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. They delve into the benefits of recent tax cuts for small businesses and the changes to Medicaid, emphasizing the importance of work requirements. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about tax cuts and the future of tax policies...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Jeff Dornik, founder of PickAxe, a free speech social content platform. They discuss the challenges of censorship faced by content creators, the implications of AI and data collection by major social media platforms, and the need for ethical considerations and guardrails in AI development. Jeff shares insights on the importance of free speech, the impact of censorship...

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In this Independence Day episode, Alfredo and Elaine sit down with Wes Lyons, co-founder of Allegiance Flag Supply, a company committed to crafting high-quality, American-made flags. Wes shares the inspiration behind starting the business and offers an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of running a small business in recent years.

Buy Your GREAT American Flag from Allegiance Flag Supply HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

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In this episode, you'll hear from Senator Joni Ernst & our special panel made up of Karen Harned, Former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, EJ Antoni, Rep. Mike Collins, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. 

The panel discussion focuses on the significant impact of federal regulations on small businesses and the economy. It highlights the burden of overregulation, the legislative efforts to reform these regulations, and the importa...

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June 27, 2025 • 31 mins

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Doug Kantor discuss the significant impact of swipe fees on small businesses and consumers. They explore the duopoly of Visa and MasterCard, the barriers to competition in credit card processing, and the proposed Credit Card Competition Act aimed at reducing fees and increasing market competition. The conversation highlights the need for consumer awareness regarding hidden c...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Spencer Morrison, author of 'ReSure: How Tariffs Will Bring Our Jobs Home and Revive the American Dream.' They discuss the historical context of tariffs, the impact of trade deficits on the American economy, and the effectiveness of Trump's tariff policies. Morrison argues that tariffs are essential for reshoring manufacturing jobs and revitalizing the American econom...

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In this special episode, leading voices—including the SBA Administrator, Kelly Loeffler, Trish Regan, Grover Norquist, and more—discuss the vital role of tax cuts and small businesses in driving U.S. economic growth. They explore how lower taxes, reduced regulation, and clear policies empower entrepreneurs, create jobs, and foster innovation. The panel addresses challenges like tariffs, government spending, and politica...

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June 18, 2025 • 33 mins

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Bill Walton, host of The Bill Walton Show, they discuss his experiences on the Trump transition team and the differences between Trump's first and second terms. They explore Trump's governance style, his relationship with Elon Musk, the implications of the $9.2 billion rescission bill, and the economic policies that have led to job growth. The conversation also touche...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and Dr. Chad Savage discuss the transformative potential of Direct Primary Care (DPC) in the U.S. healthcare system. They explore how DPC empowers patients by removing insurance intermediaries, allowing for more personalized and cost-effective care. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by the current healthcare system, including the bureaucratic complexities introdu...

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June 11, 2025 • 29 mins

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Jackie Cushman about her work on the Adams Memorial Commission, which aims to honor John and Abigail Adams. They discuss the significance of the Adams family in American history, the challenges of political division today, and the importance of bipartisan efforts in commemorating historical figures. Jackie shares insights on how the Adams family exemplified values of...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and EJ Antoni from the Heritage Foundation discuss the implications of President Trump's tax reform bill on small businesses. They explore the benefits and drawbacks of the bill, including the small business tax deduction, the SALT deduction, and the need for spending cuts. The conversation also touches on the complexities of legislation and the importance of communicating feder...

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In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker interviews Dr. Lee Kurisko, a physician with extensive experience in both Canadian and American healthcare systems. Dr. Kurisko shares his insights on the inefficiencies and challenges of government-run healthcare in Canada, contrasting it with the more market-driven approach in the United States. He discusses the importance of consumerism in healthcare, the barriers to accessin...

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