The Commonwealth Matters

The newest episode of The Commonwealth Matters with Richard Nelson and Dr. Gary Houchens is finished and ready.

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America's 250th birthday prompts a crucial reflection: what does patriotism really mean for Christians? Is loving your country compatible with biblical faith, or does it risk misplaced loyalty? Join Dr. John Wilsey, renowned church historian and author of God and Country , as he unpacks the biblical foundations for understanding history, national identity, and patriotism from a Christian persp...

Welcome to Fidelity Month! This is the first week of Fidelity Month here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Fidelity Month is a proactive, forward-looking ideal of the things that make for healthy society. Dr. Robert George was the founder of Fidelity Month, starting it four years ago, and discusses the motives and results of such an enterprise.

In this episode of Commonwealth Matters , Richard Nelson and Mike Harmon discuss Kentucky's candidate comparison project, a tool for voters seeking informed, faith-aligned decisions. They reveal how the project provides insights into candidates' stances on life, family, and faith beyond campaign slogans. With low voter turnout, understanding these critical issues is more important than eve...

Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s former Attorney General, reveals the hidden truths of government waste, fraud, and corruption costing taxpayers billions. He shares a bold plan to restore accountability and integrity in Washington, tackling issues like Medicaid fraud and border security. This episode is essential for anyone frustrated with government overreach and eager to learn how to hold officials ac...

In this episode, Richard Nelson from the Commonwealth Matters discusses the upcoming May 19th midterm election with David Walls, Executive Director of the Family Foundation. They explore the importance of voting, the role of character in leadership, and the distinction between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. The conversation highlights the Family Foundation's commitment to educating vot...

If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠ . The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kentucky Lin...

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Dr. John Wilsey of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to discuss what Christian nationalism is and if Christians should support it. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠ . The Commonwealth Matters has moved to o...

In this episode, Richard Nelson delves into the alarming impact of social media on minors, highlighting a landmark ruling against Meta for failing to protect children. With insights into how social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are designed to be addictive, the discussion explores the mental health crisis among youth and the urgent need for legislative action. Discover how Kentucky&#...

Kentucky's foster care system is in crisis, with children placed in unsafe environments. State Auditor Allison Ball uncovers shocking findings from a 129-page investigation, revealing systemic failures and neglect. Discover how bureaucratic resistance and lack of transparency have allowed these conditions to persist. Learn about innovative solutions from other states and how Kentucky can adopt...

Most Kentuckians are unaware of the powerful role faith and morality play in shaping public policy—and why Christian involvement in government is deeply biblical, not optional. Richard Nelson uncovers how biblical principles justify believers’ active engagement in politics, spotlighting specific legislation that aligns with their values and the risks of remaining silent. Discover why God cares abo...

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...

This episode features Chelsey Yeoman from Alliance Defending Freedom discussing the harmful effects of social media on minors, recent legislative efforts in Kentucky, and the need for regulation to protect children's mental health and well-being.

If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4...

If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Ke...

If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The Commonwealth Matters has moved to our new website at www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org . Please visit the new site to access the program. Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on Twitter: @CPC4Kent...

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Alexandra DeSanctis, a writer for National Review and fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center, to discuss her new book, co-authored with Ryan Anderson, "Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing." If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Po...

If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard@commonwealthpolicy.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Like and Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonwealthpolicy Follow us on X: @CPC4Kentucky Follow us on YouTube: @commonwealthpolicycenter E-Newsletter: https://www.commonwealthpolicycenter.org/mailing-list/

In this compelling episode, Richard Nelson engages with Vernadette Broyles, founder of the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, to explore the contentious issues surrounding gender ideology, parental rights, and the protection of minors. They delve into the legal battles and societal implications of gender transitions in minors, the role of medical organizations, and the critical involvement of chu...

In this episode of The Commonwealth Matters, Richard Nelson engages with State Senator Lindsay Tichenor to explore the implications of Senate Bill 26, which seeks to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from Kentucky's K-12 public schools. The discussion delves into the rationale behind the bill, the potential impact on educational content, and the broader societal implicatio...

Kentucky is one of the few states that allows 18-year-olds to gamble on sports, even as most set the minimum age at 21. On this episode of Commonwealth Matters , we examine the risks legalized sports betting poses to young adults—especially college students—through aggressive advertising, mobile apps, and in-game wagering. Drawing on research from the NIH and NCAA, we discuss the growing concerns...

In a candid year-end reflection, Richard Nelson surveys the tumultuous political landscape of 2025. From the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk to ongoing controversies over gambling, from debates around Medicaid reform to the sweeping “Big Beautiful Bill,” Nelson examines how the nation navigated a year of profound change and conflict. Looking forward, he identifies the nation’s best hope for...

This week, Richard Nelson sits down with Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, for a wide-ranging conversation on human dignity and the moral challenges posed by abortion, IVF, and medical aid in dying (MAID). Drawing on philosophical and theological foundations, they explore why these issues matter and how Kentucky can better protect human life and up...

Richard Nelson of the Commonwealth Policy Center sits down in the office of Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise for an in-depth conversation on priorities for Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session. The discussion explores a range of pressing moral and social issues facing the Commonwealth, as well as key fiscal concerns, including income tax policy and broader questions of economic stewardship. To...