The Commonwealth Matters

On the latest episode of Commonwealth Matters , Richard Nelson sits down with Sen. Lindsey Tichenor for a wide-ranging conversation about education in Kentucky. As a member of the Senate Education Committee, Tichenor offers insight into the challenges facing the state’s schools, including recent reports of overspending in Fayette County. She also shares her perspective on how lawmakers can better...

On this episode of The Commonwealth Matters , Richard Nelson is joined by John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center, for a wide-ranging conversation on some of the most pressing issues of our day. They discuss the new documentary Truth Rising and its call to recover biblical truth in an age of confusion, reflect on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk and the movement he inspired, and consid...

On this episode of The Commonwealth Matters , Richard Nelson takes a thoughtful look at the sudden death of Charlie Kirk, one of the most prominent conservative voices of his generation. Richard explores not only the immediate reactions to Kirk’s passing—from political leaders, media outlets, and grassroots supporters—but also what those reactions reveal about the state of American public life. Wh...

On this episode of Commonwealth Matters: Dr. Ryan T. Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, joins Richard Nelson for a conversation on the family and cultural renewal. Dr. Anderson explains why the family is the cornerstone of a healthy society, how cultural shifts have weakened that foundation, and what steps can be taken to restore it. They discuss challenges posed by the se...

In this episode, we delve into the fundamental aspects of a healthy society, questioning whether it is rooted in the individual or the family. We explore the impact of family breakdowns and examine the connection between such occurrences and government policies. Joining us to talk about this important issue is Colin Smothers, executive director of the Center for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and...

A recent MSNBC article claimed that Donald Trump uses Christianity as a political prop to advance a theocracy and Kamala Harris practices the Christian faith she was raised in and embraces pluralism. Many on the Left call the Right Christian nationalists, and paint Christian nationalism as an existential threat to America, democracy, and the Church. Is this correct? To talk with us about this impo...

Is marriage an out-of-date institution? Does it get in the way of happiness and fulfillment? To talk further about the importance of marriage to individuals, families, and society, Dr. Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia joins us to discuss his latest book ⁠⁠Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization⁠⁠. For more free content on the centralit...

This episode of Commonwealth Matters Richard Nelson explores why strong families are essential to a healthy and flourishing society. Stable homes nurture happiness, improve health outcomes, and set the stage for long-term personal success. They also create safer, more resilient communities where people can thrive. This episode emphasizes that when families are strong, society as a whole benefits a...

Richard Nelson explores the economic and practical implications of the Big Beautiful Bill for Kentuckians and Americans at large. He unpacks how the proposed legislation could reshape key sectors of the economy, influence the cost of living, and impact small businesses across the country. Nelson also considers how the bill may expand the role of government and affect individual freedoms. With an e...

Is the best way to find yourself to look within? In this week's edition of the Commonwealth Matters, we are joined by Thaddeus Williams, assistant professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology, to discuss his book  ⁠ Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship ⁠ . Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow u...

In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Nelson welcomes Ken Ham—founder, president, and CEO of Answers in Genesis and visionary behind the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter—for a wide-ranging discussion on the foundational importance of the Genesis account. Together, they explore how belief in a literal six-day creation is not just a theological detail, but a worldview cornerstone that shap...

On this episode of Commonwealth Matters, John Stonestreet of the Colson Center joins Richard Nelson to discuss how Christianity speaks to the cultural challenges of our time. They explore the importance of worldview formation, the moral confusion of the modern age, and the church’s responsibility to engage culture with clarity and compassion. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executiv...

In this episode Richard Nelson sits down with Senate President Robert Stivers to discuss the most pressing issues addressed during the 2025 Legislative Session. They reflect on the state’s political direction, major legislative themes, and the broader implications for Kentucky’s future. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at how policy, leadership, and principle continue to shape life in the...

On this Independence Day, we reflect with gratitude on the founding principles of our nation—life, liberty, and the pursuit of virtue under God. As we celebrate our freedom, may we be reminded that true liberty is preserved not only through laws and institutions, but through moral responsibility and faithfulness to the values that shaped this great experiment in self-government. Richard Nelson, ho...

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Dr. Miriam Grossman (M.D.) to discuss her latest book  Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist's Guide Out of the Madness . Dr. Grossman is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. She also appeared in the the Daily Wire’s "What Is A Woman?" documentary. If you would like to interview Richar...

In this episode, Richard Nelson sits down with Dr. Robert P. George of Princeton University to discuss why he is consecrating June as Fidelity Month, devoting the month to reaffirm our commitment to God, spouse and family, community, and country. Dr. George explains how this initiative seeks to counter growing cultural confusion by reviving the foundational virtues that sustain a free and moral so...

Most crime, including murder and sexual assault, is done by men. Are men toxic? Are they inherently violent and inferior to women? These are some of the questions we’ll try to answer in this week’s edition of the Commonwealth Matters. We are joined by Professor Nancy Pearcey, author of The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes . She is professor and scholar-in-residence a...

In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Nelson and Pastor Randle Record confront the pervasive and destructive impact of pornography on children, adults, and the Christian church . They trace its origins and cultural development, uncover its spiritual and psychological dangers, and offer practical and biblical insights for those seeking freedom. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Ex...

In this week's episode, we dive into a pressing question: Is overpopulation the true challenge we face, or is depopulation a more urgent concern? To discuss this important issue, we are joined by Lyman Stone, a senior fellow and Director of the Pronatalism Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, and the Chief Information Officer at Demographic Intelligence. Lyman has extensively studie...

School choice continues to spark debate across the country, and Kentucky, as one of only two states without any form of school choice, stands at the center of it. Last year, voters rejected a measure aimed at expanding educational options, largely due to claims that such policies would harm public schools. But is that really the case? This week, we're joined by Greg Brock, Senior Advisor at th...

Too many Americans have a low view of work today. Work has become devalued, and it is seen as something we unfortunately have to do to live. But is this how God and the Bible views work? Are we meant to work and is work the meaning of life? David Bahnsen, founder of the Bahnsen Group, joins us this week to discuss his new book  ⁠ Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life ⁠ . If you would like to int...

Is marriage an out-of-date institution? Does it get in the way of happiness and fulfillment? To talk further about the importance of marriage to individuals, families, and society, Dr. Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia joins us to discuss his latest book  ⁠ Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization ⁠ . If you would like to interview Richa...

It’s becoming common for Christian leaders and denominations to reject biblical authority when it comes to human sexuality and marriage. In a recent column in the  Lexington Herald-Leader  one Kentucky pastor goes so far as to bless the LGBTQ community. The column says Kentucky’s conversion therapy is an affront to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But does God really bless all sexual identities? We are...

President Trump declared April 2 Liberation Day, where he signed an executive order imposing a minimum of 10% tariff on all US imports. Higher tariffs were imposed on 57 countries. With the stock market reacting poorly to the tariffs, Trump placed a 90 day pause on the tariffs, except for China. We are joined by Dr. Brian Domitrovic of the Laffer Center to help us think through these tariffs. If y...

President Donald Trump’s statement on Holy Week is creating a stir, which is very much in contrast to President Biden’s Easter statement last year for Trans-Visibility Day. On this week’s episode we talk about President Trump’s Easter statement and how Easter is good news for all people.  ⁠ If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please...