Deseret Voices

As the United States hits its historic 250th anniversary, the nation finds itself caught in the throes of a profound "faith crisis" — not just in its institutions, but in the very endurance of the American experiment. In this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins sits down with former senator and presidential candidate Mitt Romney for a deeply candid, reflective and surprisingly...

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, a creeping sense of political pessimism has captured the national conversation. Are we truly living through an unprecedented era of democratic decay, or is this just another chapter in the long, turbulent history of the American experiment? In this episode of “Deseret Voices,” host McKay Coppins sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning his...

The Great Salt Lake is disappearing . With two-thirds of its water gone and more than half of its area desiccated, experts warn that Utah is sitting on an environmental time bomb . In this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host Jane Clayson Johnson sits down with two leading figures at the forefront of the restoration movement to discuss the stark reality of the lake's decline, the catastrophic healt...

How does a crowd-funded project about Jesus Christ become a global phenomenon? In this episode of " Deseret Voices ," guest host Sheri Dew sits down with Dallas Jenkins, the creator, director, and co-writer of “The Chosen,” for an intimate, behind-the-scenes conversation as the groundbreaking series films its final season. Dew and Jenkins take a trip down memory lane to early 2020, rev...

Are we trading authentic faith for political tribalism and cultural war? In this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins   sits down with renowned theologian and Christianity Today editor at large Dr. Russell Moore to explore a shift in American religion: The Casinofication of Church. The conversation sparks from a recent Atlantic investigation where Coppins was given $10,000 to exp...

Why don’t Americans trust the media anymore? On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins sits down with Evan Smith , co-founder of The Texas Tribune and managing director for events at The Atlantic , to dissect the ongoing crisis of trust in American journalism. As local newspapers vanish and national media outlets face unprecedented strain, a dangerous information vacuum has e...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joins host McKay Coppins for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that touches on everything from national political polarization to the sudden intersection of rural Utah and artificial intelligence. Despite writing a new book , leading to some speculation, Cox insists he isn't eyeing the White House — but he is looking to export Ut...

Why are the owners of a multibillion-dollar tech empire doubling down on live sports in an age of AI and digital isolation? In this episode of “ Deseret Voices ,” host McKay Coppins sits down with Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Jazz and the new Utah Mammoth, to explore why they believe the stadium is one of the last remaining places where a community can truly breathe, cheer...

For the first time in over 130 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is preparing to open the doors of the Salt Lake Temple to the public following a massive, multi-year renovation .  On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," McKay Coppins sits down with project director Andy Kirby and church historian Matt Grow to discuss the dual mission of this monumental undertaking: preserv...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host Jane Clayson Johnson sits down with No. 1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci to discuss his latest thrillers, “ Nash Falls ” and “ Hope Rises .” Baldacci reflects on his childhood in segregated Richmond, Virginia, explaining how early access to the public library became his "body armor" against bigotry. Beyond the cr...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins explores the political evolution of MS NOW's Michael Steele , former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Steele traces his journey from a "Lincoln Republican" raised by Roosevelt Democrats to becoming one of the most prominent critics of the modern GOP.  Michael Steele offers a candid look at his upbringing in segregat...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," Jane Clayson Johnson gathers an extraordinary panel of faith and policy leaders at the request of Pamela Atkinson — a woman often called " Utah’s Mother Teresa ." Though Pamela was hospitalized just before the recording, her "final God-given assignment" brought together a diverse group of Christian leaders — Latter-day Saint, Catholic, Presb...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins joins guest Sarah Isgur to explore her new book, “ Last Branch Standing, ” which serves as an intelligent person’s guide to the Supreme Court. Isgur argues that much of the common wisdom and media narrative surrounding the court is incorrect, often because reporters treat the institution like "Congress-lite" or a reality T...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," following recent public rebukes issued by Pope Leo XIV against the Trump administration's foreign and domestic policies, Jane Clayson Johnson and Father James Martin engage in a deep exploration of the moral obligations facing both nations and individuals today. Father Martin provides a rigorous scriptural defense for the mandate to "welcome the stranger," di...

In this deeply moving episode of " Deseret Voices ," veteran CBS News correspondent and now Oscar winner Steve Hartman joins Jane Clayson Johnson to discuss his landmark documentary, “ All the Empty Rooms .” For seven years, Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp chronicled the untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings — spaces Hartman describes as "sacred." Hartman reve...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins sits down with The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg to confront the alarming resurgence of antisemitism in the United States. Far from being a relic of the past or a purely partisan issue, modern data suggests that anti-Jewish prejudice is increasingly becoming a youth-driven phenomenon, fueled by changing media landscapes and the loss of fi...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver sits down with Richard Reeves , President of the American Institute for Boys and Men , to tackle the growing "gender gap" affecting education, mental health, and the workforce. As women and girls continue their much-celebrated rise, data shows that boys and men are falling behind at alarming rates—from a 60/40 femal...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," guest host Doug Wilks, executive editor of the  Deseret News is joined by Kevin Hyland , the United Kingdom's first independent anti-slavery commissioner, to uncover the complex and often hidden world of modern-day slavery. With over 50 million victims worldwide and an estimated 1 million in the United States alone, the conversation explores why current...

This episode of " Deseret Voices " explores the pervasive and often hidden epidemic of gambling addiction in modern America. Host McKay Coppins and guest Craig Carton , a well-known radio personality and recovering gambling addict, discuss the rapid mainstreaming of the industry , where sports betting has transitioned from a niche activity to an omnipresent force in sports culture.   A p...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins sits down with Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid to dissect the escalating conflict with Iran and the controversial pursuit of regime change. Following the seismic military strikes that claimed the life of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hamid — author of the provocative new book “ The Case for American Power ” — explore...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins sits down with AJ Dybantsa , the 6-foot-9 phenom who has taken college basketball by storm. While the rest of the sports world has already labeled him the consensus projected No. 1 overall pick, AJ reveals a bombshell in this conversation: He might not be ready to leave BYU. Driven by a promise to his mother to prioritize his education and...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," Deseret News reporter Lottie Elizabeth Johnson sits down with advocate and survivor Elizabeth Smart to discuss her journey of reclaiming her narrative through the 2026 Netflix documentary “ Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart. ” Smart reflects on the transition from the "mental chains" of her 2002 abduction to the "triumphant" feeling of finally shining a...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," guest host Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Deseret News, speaks with esteemed scholars Robert P. George and Dr. Cornel West about their unique friendship and shared commitment to intellectual and moral exploration. Despite their differing ideologies, George and West exemplify how friendship can thrive on mutual respect and love for deep truths. They discuss...

On Feb. 12 Elder Clark G. Gilbert was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , trading a lifetime career in management and innovation, for a lifetime calling as a special witness of Jesus Christ.  Elder Gilbert’s service and expertise in academia, business and media — as well as his roles as commissioner of the Ch...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," McKay Coppins sits down to interview Jeff Flake , a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and ex-senator, for an insightful discussion on America’s role in global politics. Flake shares firsthand experiences as an American diplomat, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the thoughts and concerns of international leaders regarding U.S. politics. They discuss...