Defending Ideas

America is the land of opportunity. So how should we respond when new evidence shows that some families actually feel discouraged from working harder for the American Dream? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Randy Hicks , president and CEO of the Georgia Center for Opportunity . They discuss new evidence of how families on the social safety net sometimes feel disincentivized from pursuing w...

The election is over, and we now know the results. So, what’s next for public discourse, election trust, and political polarization? On this episode we continue our special Election Day coverage with part two of a mini-roundtable discussion with Sutherland executives.  Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Stan Rasmussen to evaluate what the conclusion of the 2024 election cycle me...

Election Day is here, and it’s understandable to feel stressed or worried about the outcome. But what if there is something that has a bigger impact on America’s future than who wins? On this special Election Day edition of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute President and CEO Rick Larsen and Sutherland Chief Development Officer Peter Reichard . They address the overheate...

The cost of housing is a major issue here in Utah and across the nation, and there are many different proposals to address it. But what is the approach that policymakers should take?  On this episode, we sit down with a national housing expert who has a plan that he says would increase Utah’s housing supply significantly without needing any government subsidies. Ed Pinto is a senior fellow at the...

The 2024 election is the first time artificial intelligence has begun to play a noticeable role during campaign season. What does that mean for the way we conduct elections in this country?     On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with an expert in AI and election policy to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges presented by this new technology. Chris McIsaac is a resident fellow in gover...

We’ve all seen the controversy in recent years in the news and online over the issue of election security. So, what is actually going on, and is your vote secure?   On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson , Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman , and Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie . Together they address some of the common questions voters may have about the secu...

What is the proper role of citizen ballot initiatives compared to laws passed by the state Legislature as different methods to create public policy? On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Bill Duncan to dive into the debate over Amendment D, which was a proposal to amend Utah’s Constitution with that very question in mind.   The episode explores some of the bigger co...

The freedom to live your faith is a bedrock American principle. But has the right of religious freedom always enjoyed the level of protection that it does today? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Thomas Lehrman , executive producer of a new documentary called " Free Exercise: America's Story of Religious Liberty ." The film tells the story of the fight for religious freedom, and how those e...

If you're frustrated with national politics, is a "reset" the answer? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. John Curtis of Utah's Third Congressional District. Congressman Curtis tells the story of how his team changed how they conducted town halls, yielding vastly improved dialogue with constituents, and how it's a model for improving national political discourse. He also covers President...

What is the proper role of the federal government? It's a question that impacts many of the national policy debates that top the news, and it was an important theme during Sutherland Institute's 2024 Congressional Series.  This week, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah's Second Congressional District to get her insights on the proper balance between federal and state authority on a...

Congress is approaching a major deadline with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire in 2025. What does this mean for Utahns and the upcoming elections in November? On this week's episode, we sit down with Rep. Blake Moore of Utah's First Congressional District to discuss reining in federal spending, how to reform social safety net programs, and where Congress can play a role i...

We often talk about the vital role parents play in directing the education of their children. But is this principle of parental engagement top of mind for policymakers in Washington, D.C.? On this episode we sit down with Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah's Fourth Congressional District to get his perspective on the education policy debates happening in our nation's capital.  This episode is brought to y...

Parental engagement has huge benefits for students. But how easy is it for a parent to actually be involved in what his or her children are learning in school? On this episode, we hear from a Utah parent who shares the pros and cons of Utah’s current parent access resources. We also dive into new research from Sutherland Institute. Amy Wilson is a Utah parent whose kids have all gone through the p...

The cost of housing is a top concern for likely voters in Utah according to  Sutherland Institute research . It’s easy for housing affordability to feel like an intractable issue, but one national expert argues that we can solve this policy challenge by reforming local zoning policies. Nic Dunn talks with Nolan Gray , former New York City planner and current senior director of legislation and rese...

Education policy debates usually focus on funding. But what if there's a critical part of a good education system that has a huge impact on outcomes, and too often gets ignored? On this episode  Nic Dunn sits down with Dr. Rich Nye , the new senior advisor for education to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, to discuss why the state is committed to elevating the role parental involvement plays in our education...

If you’re worried about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, you’re not alone. But what if a solution to this electoral angst is a recommitment to the constitutional principle of federalism?     On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with national federalism expert Tony Woodlief. Tony is Senior Executive Vice President for State Policy Network , Senior Fellow for its Center for Practic...

Usually, getting paid more at work is a good thing. But for some people on government assistance, increasing the amount of income they earn can actually make them worse off. On this episode, we talk with someone who has experienced the safety-net benefits cliff to understand how it can affect decisions about work and economic opportunities.     Nic Dunn sits down with Marcella Patiño and Josh Nels...

Every Pioneer Day, Utahns commemorate the pioneers who fled religious persecution to create a better, freer life in the West. This week, we're taking a special look at the current state of religious freedom to answer this question: How can we champion legal protections for religious freedom in a way that wins the support of critics?  Nic Dunn welcomes a special panel of guests to profile Utah's un...

Utah's primary election was on June 25, but there are still ongoing disputes over the outcomes of two high-profile races. On this episode, we equip you to use a constitutional lens to evaluate any instance in which an election outcome is questioned or even challenged.  Host Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson to discuss Utah's Republican primary race for governor, which inc...

If you’re frustrated with politics, you’re not alone. But there’s a way to fix America’s broken political culture, and it’s more straightforward than you think. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said in his 2022 State of the State address that “if America is the last great hope of the world, then Utah is the last great hope of America.” That’s because in many ways, Utah is the best example of how to successfu...

Federal government agencies will have a little less power thanks to a new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. Will this be a good thing for Americans? On this episode, Nic Dunn talks with Deseret News Assistant Managing Editor and reporter Kelsey Dallas and Sutherland Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan to break down the court's decision on  Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raim...

A question that often comes up in an election year is whether to make any changes to voting and election policy. On this episode we survey different approaches to the primary election process, with a focus on how to improve the voter experience and increase public trust.  Host Nic Dunn sits down with R Street Institute’s Matt Germer  and Sutherland Institute’s Derek Monson  to check in on the civi...

A new lawsuit is threatening to take away Utah's education choice program. But is the challenge on solid legal footing? On this episode, we examine the constitutional claims of the Utah Education Association's new lawsuit against the Utah Fits All scholarship program. Two Sutherland Institute scholars – Education Policy Fellow  Christine Cooke Fairbanks  and Constitutional Law and Religious Freedo...

Most policy debates about upward mobility cover things like education, workforce programs, or tax policy. Too often, they ignore what's actually the most important variable that impacts outcomes for the next generation: family.  On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Melissa Kearney to discuss her new book The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind...

Do parents have the right to know what their children are learning in school? Public school curriculum transparency has become a hotly debated topic in recent years. But there may actually be a consensus approach that helps make curriculum transparency broadly popular across the political spectrum. Sutherland Education Policy Fellow Christine Cooke Fairbanks returns to the show to dive into the ev...