Deseret Voices

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...

In this episode of "Deseret Voices," guest host Sheri Dew , Executive Vice President of Deseret Management Corporation, sits down with Catherine Raney Norman , a four-time Olympian and current vice president of Development and Athlete Relations for the 2034 Winter Games in Utah . Catherine shares her inspiring journey from a young speedskater to an influential advocate for athletes, detailing how...

Bitter debate and violent confrontations continue to fracture the United States as American's polarized and complicated view of immigration war wages at the borders and in our streets.  Alarming reports and videos are coming out of centers of protests and division, including the recent deadly shooting of a Minneapolis man by Border Patrol ; the third shooting and second death since federal of...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," professor Brad Wilcox , director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and senior fellow of the Institute for Family Studies , addresses the growing affordability crisis threatening the American dream and the American Family. In a recent article written for the Deseret News , he dissects research on the crisis and discusses how public...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," host McKay Coppins delves into the extraordinary life and legacy of Sen. Harry Reid , lawyer and former Majority Leader of the US Senate. In a conversation with Jon Ralston , author of “ The Game Changer ,” a new political biography about Reid, we discover how Reid rose from his humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada, to become one of the most i...

The ousting of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is one of those moments that invites a lot of strong opinions, and that becomes even more complicated once you start asking questions. Who is running Venezuela now? Will America try to overthrow regimes in Cuba or Colombia next? What does this tell us about President Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions? And what does it mean for t...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," join Jane Clayson Johnson for a compelling conversation with Dr. Lynn Bufka from the American Psychological Association . As we step into the new year, they dive into insights from the 2025 Stress in America survey , unpacking the complexities of how societal division, disconnection, and loneliness are affecting our stress levels more than ever.  This di...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," join host Jane Clayson Johnson as she welcomes Sharon Eubank , the global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Sharon shares invaluable insights from her 28 years in global humanitarian work and her new book, " Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World ." In this conversation,...

On this episode of “ Deseret Voices ,” host McKay Coppins is joined by political strategist and publisher of The Bulwark , Sarah Longwell , whose countless hours holding voter focus groups have given her an unparalleled insight into the mind of everyday Americans.  As a lifelong Republican, Sarah has navigated the complex world of political strategy and emerged as a leading voice...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," McKay Coppins sits down with author and New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to discuss cultural currents surrounding religion in contemporary secular societies. As Douthat shares his insights, he reflects on the unexpected openness he encountered towards religious discussions during a recent book tour and in his interactions with readers. This interview del...

On this episode of " Deseret Voices ," James Walsh , a seasoned writer from New York Magazine known for his compelling insights into technology and higher education, Joins Jane Clayson Johnson to discuss his controversial piece, "Everyone is Cheating Their Way Through College," which has ignited a nationwide dialogue about the implications of generative AI in higher education.  Through this c...