Defending Ideas

Utah’s new state superintendent, Dr. Molly Hart , joins Nic Dunn alongside Christine Cooke Fairbanks to discuss the future of education in Utah. From strengthening local control to harnessing innovation in the classroom, they explore how Utah can lead the nation in rethinking public education and empower parents, teachers, and students to thrive. Show notes: Examining school “capacity” in Utah’s o...

What parent would take a raise if it meant their family would be worse off? That’s the reality for many families facing the “benefits cliff.” Nic Dunn sits down with Keith Barnes of the Beyond the Cliff Coalition to discuss how government policies can unintentionally punish work — and how states can innovate for smarter, family-centered reforms to help restore the promise of upward mobility and th...

The federal government shutdown isn’t just a budget story, it’s a reflection of deeper challenges in how Congress governs. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn talks with Matt Weidinger of the American Enterprise Institute about what led to the latest shutdown, how it’s affecting key programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and what it says about the state of policymaking in Washington. Show notes...

In today’s cultural climate, religion is often treated as a purely private matter — something best kept out of public life. But what if that assumption is missing the bigger picture?   On this episode of Defending Ideas , host Nic Dunn sits down with two leading experts to review new research showing that religious participation offers powerful public benefits. Bill Duncan is the Sutherland Instit...

It’s rivalry week in Utah, but before the battle on the gridiron, the presidents of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah join the show to discuss collaboration. Host Nic Dunn sits down with BYU President  Shane Reese and UofU President Taylor Randall for a joint interview. Together, they discuss how these two major universities are partnering on research, medical innovation, and civ...

Most debates on poverty focus on small reforms to America’s welfare system. But what if the system itself is the problem? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with author and AEI scholar Charles Murray to discuss his bold proposal to replace the welfare state with a universal basic income. They explore why incremental change may no longer be enough, how current policies can trap people in poverty,...

Do you ever self-censor your political views because you’re worried about how others might react, or even fear backlash for sharing what you really believe? You’re not alone. And it's a sign that we’ve forgotten how to disagree constructively in American public life.   On this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn sits down with Rep.  Celeste Maloy of Utah's 2nd Congressional District for a po...

As redistricting debates make headlines in Utah and across the nation, a deeper issue is being overlooked: Who really has the constitutional authority to draw electoral maps? In this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan to unpack the legal and civic principles at the heart of Utah’s redistricting controversy.   From...

Following the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, host Nic Dunn offers a special message on how Americans should respond to political violence, polarization, and contempt.  Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound i...

Artificial intelligence is fueling a new kind of arms race, one that isn’t just about technology, but about the clash of values between free republics and authoritarian regimes.  In this episode, Sutherland Chief Growth Officer Derek Monson sits in for Nic Dunn , and is joined by Sarah Hunt , president and founder of the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy , where they explore how AI is reshapi...

Men make up nearly 80% of suicide deaths, yet too often their struggles go unseen. In this episode, host Nic Dunn and contributor Beth Akers are joined by Joe Tuia'ana who shares the story behind the I Love You, Bro Project , a grassroots movement creating safe, judgment-free spaces where men can open up, connect, and find purpose. From barbershops to real estate offices, Joe explains why vulnerab...

Why are so many boys and young men struggling in America today? The answer may lie in a crisis few are talking about: absent fathers. Host Nic Dunn and contributor Beth Akers sit down with Ian Rowe , author of Agency and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. They dive into why strong families and involved fathers are key to helping the next generation of boys thrive. From the decline...

Amid the ongoing discussions about challenges men and boys face in work, school, and other aspects of life, there’s a deeper question behind the statistics: what actually anchors young men and helps form their character?  On this episode, host Nic Dunn and contributor Beth Akers sit down with Sam Abrams to discuss the formative role of families, faith, educational institutions, and mentorship in s...

Multiple states have received requests from the U.S. Department of Justice for state voter roll information. The DOJ says it’s enforcing federal election laws. Critics call it a dangerous overreach that could erode privacy, weaken security, and blur constitutional boundaries between Washington and the states. This week on Defending Ideas , host Nic Dunn is joined by Derek Monson of Sutherland Inst...

What if the root cause of America’s polarization isn’t just anger or partisanship — but the loss of a skill we’ve stopped practicing? On this episode, Nic Dunn speaks with R Street Institute VP of Public Affairs Sabrina Schaeffer to explore how the lost arts of debate, discourse, and civic engagement are essential to a thriving constitutional republic. Drawing from history and recent research, thi...

One of the biggest challenges facing the economy in recent years, at both the national and state levels, is persistent workforce shortages across different industries. With more jobs than qualified workers, leaders in states like Utah are confronting the gap between education and training institutions and the needs of employers. On this episode of Defending Ideas,  Nic Dunn is joined by Jordan Hil...

America is a compassionate country. But what if the way we’ve been “helping” those in poverty actually makes things worse? On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with James Whitford , founder and executive director of True Charity and Watered Gardens Ministries, and author of “The Crisis of Dependency: How Our Efforts to Solve Poverty Are Trapping People in It, and What We Can Do to Foster Freed...

A couple of weeks have passed since the July 4th celebrations, and after the fireworks fade and the flags are stored away, does our feeling of patriotism linger? What does patriotism mean today? In this special solo episode, host Nic Dunn reflects on the enduring responsibility of American citizens — not just to celebrate freedom, but to live it out . Drawing from the example of the Founders and g...

College has long been seen as a gateway to opportunity and upward mobility. But today, fewer young men are pursuing higher education, accounting for just two out of every five degrees in the U.S. — a reversal of trends seen a generation ago.   On this episode, Host Nic Dunn is joined once again by Defending Ideas Feature Contributor and AEI Senior Fellow Beth Akers . Together, they explore this gr...

Is our higher‑education system doing enough to meet the real needs of today’s job market? With a serious shortage of skilled workers across key industries, many are asking whether we’ve overinvested in traditional academia and underinvested in skill‑based training. On this episode of Defending Ideas , Nic Dunn sits down with Illinois Policy Institute Head of Policy Josh Bandoch to discuss his new...

Teachers are stretched thin, but artificial intelligence could help. On this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn talks with Caleb Hicks, CEO of SchoolAI, about how AI tools are enhancing personalized learning, supporting one-on-one instruction, and improving classroom outcomes. Also joining is Sutherland Institute’s Christine Cooke Fairbanks, who explores how Utah and other states are approa...

Should Medicaid include work requirements? Utah thinks so. On this episode, host Nic Dunn talks with Nate Checketts , deputy director of the Utah Department of Health & Human Services, about Utah’s push for a Medicaid work requirement. They discuss: Utah's federal waiver request Benefits cliffs and incentives How to build a pro-work safety net What reforms are needed in Washington, D.C. Show n...

This week marks the 100th episode of Defending Ideas —and to celebrate, we’re joined by one of the nation’s leading conservative thinkers. Ramesh Ponnuru is editor of National Review , a columnist for The Washington Post, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute .   In this milestone conversation, Ramesh and host Nic Dunn explore the current state of the conservative mo...

Imagine getting access to potentially life-saving medical care or screenings in the same place you buy shampoo. Thanks to artificial intelligence — coupled with advances in telehealth — this is already happening . The impact of AI on healthcare certainly raises important questions, such as whether AI will ultimately replace your doctor or simply help them better do their jobs. To explore this, Nic...

President Trump’s tariffs have reignited a national debate: Are they a path to restoring working-class prosperity, or a protectionist misstep that ultimately hurts American consumers?   Defenders of tariffs often argue that the measures will restore manufacturing jobs, which they claim have suffered and negatively impacted the economic prospects of male workers in particular. The more traditional...