The Commonwealth Matters

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Is marriage an out-of-date institution?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...

What’s the role of religion in American society? Is Christianity antithetical to America’s idea of liberty? And what does it mean to be an American? On this week’s edition of The Commonwealth Matters, we’re gonna tackle these questions with Dr. John Wilsey, Professor of Church History and Philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Wilsey has recently written the book Religious Fr...

In this week’s episode of the Commonwealth Matters, we are joined by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to discuss the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and how he and others in Washington, DC are working to reign in ridiculous government spending. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please email  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ri...

Kentucky is one of twelve states that only allows abortion when necessary to save the mother’s life. Critics argue that this restriction has endangered women facing life-threatening pregnancy complications. In response, the Kentucky State Legislature recently passed a bill to clarify the legal definition of abortion and outline exceptions for serious medical emergencies. State Representative Nancy...

What does it really mean to be free? Is freedom simply the ability to do whatever you want as long as no one gets hurt? Or is there a deeper, richer understanding of freedom? This week on The Commonwealth Matters, we sit down with Brad Littlejohn, Director of Programs & Education at American Compass, to explore his latest book, Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of Licen...

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...

In this episode, we delve into the escalating issue of wildfires in the American West, a trend that has been on the rise for several decades. As debates stir around the role of global climate change in intensifying these fires, we invite Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition, to discuss whether these changes are contributing to the severity of the LA fires. We also discuss whe...

For years, we’ve heard the phrase “drain the swamp,” but what does it actually mean for a congressman tasked with investigating corruption? What challenges come with exposing abuse at the highest levels of government? In this episode, we sit down with Congressman James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, to discuss his new book, All the President’s Money: Investigating the Secret Foreig...

Strengthening families is a bipartisan goal—but the real debate is how to make it happen. In this episode, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson explores the role of tax policy in supporting Kentucky families and discusses how the state can create a more family-friendly economic environment. If you would like to interview Richard Nelson, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, please...

Presidential pardons are making waves as President Biden grants clemency to his son Hunter and close family members, while former President Trump issues a sweeping pardon for over 1,500 individuals tied to the January 6th riots. In Kentucky, lawmakers are seeking to limit the governor’s pardon power, raising questions about executive authority. Plus, we examine the state legislature’s push to redu...

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, ushering in what many see as a new day in our federal government. In this episode of The Commonwealth Matters, CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson examines Trump’s first days in office, analyzing his executive actions, policy agenda, and the potential impact of his administration. If you would like to i...

Do your words matter? Does it matter that society has an agreed-upon definition of those words? What happens to culture when definitions of really important words change? Joining us to help us answer these questions is Scott Allen, president of Disciple Nations Alliance, whose vision is to shape nations according to biblical truth so they might be blessed with freedom, justice, and human flourishi...

In this episode, we dive into the contentious issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools. Are they fostering inclusion or perpetuating division? We focus on a recent controversy in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), where the Chief Equity Officer made sweeping claims about an entire race. State Senator Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield), representing Kentucky’s 6th Distr...

How should we handle money? Is money something that Christians should avoid? After all, isn’t it the root of all kinds of evil? And what about the next generation and their view and stewardship of money? Joining us to talk further about the Next Gen Challenge: God, Money, and Stewardship is Dan Lewis, who is the executive director of the River Foundation in Kentucky and teaches at Asbury Universit...

It is hard to believe that another year is in the books. Much has happened this year, including the campaign between Trump and Pres. Biden and then VP Harris, President Trump was elected, legacy media outlets lost their influence, and many social issues were at the fore. Joining us to reflect on 2024 is Ron Hicks, Pastor of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church. If you would like to interview Richard...

In this week's edition of The Commonwealth Matters we are joined by Pastor Ron Hicks of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church to discuss the true meaning of Christmas and the hope of the gospel. 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.fac...