The Hard Country

TPPF Fellow for U.S.-Mexico Relations Alice Galván joins hosts Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo at the 2026 Texas Policy Summit for an uplifting discussion on what makes Mexico great. Drawing from personal experiences, they praise the faith, resilience, passion, and pride of the Mexican people. They also highlight the stunning architecture, diverse landscapes, world-class cuisine, rich literature, and resurgence in music.

This episode takes a break from the usual critiques of Mexico's political elites to properly recognize its enduring strengths—while underscoring the close ties with Texas and the United States.

Creators and Guests

Host
Ariana Guajardo
Ariana Guajardo is a videographer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation with a passion for video editing and graphic animation. Ariana was originally born in Austin, but spent most of her life in the Rio Grande Valley.
Host
Joshua Treviño
Joshua S. Treviño is the Chief of Intelligence and Research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, in which role he explores pathways for future Foundation action and develops forecasts for Texas and the nation. Prior to his service as CIO, he was vice president of strategy at the Illinois Policy Institute in Chicago and a United States Army officer.
Guest
Alicia Galván López
Alicia Galván López is the Fellow for U.S.-Mexico Relations at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Founder and President of Fundación Patria Unida por un México Valiente.

What is The Hard Country?

Joshua Treviño and Ariana Guajardo of the Texas Public Policy Foundation discuss U.S.-Mexico relations, border security, and some Texas history.