Defending Ideas podcast

50:53

Should federal welfare programs do more to promote work? Congressman Mike Kennedy of Utah’s 3rd District says yes. On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. Kennedy to hear his personal story of growing up in poverty, how it shaped his views on the power of work, and why he believes the Let’s Get to Work Act can help more families achieve self-reliance. They also dive into the importance of addressing benefits cliffs, empowering states as innovators, and building a 21st-century safety net rooted in the dignity of work. Show notes: Republicans should address welfare’s work disincentives in budget reconciliation — Washington Examiner Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity Utah lawmaker pushes to expand work requirements for SNAP assistance — Deseret News Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Are ‘empowerment accounts’ the answer to poverty and self-sufficiency? With Vance Ginn 47:01

10 days ago47:01

47:01

There’s a lot of debate in Washington, D.C., and across the country right now about how to reform federal programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps. But what if there were a more effective way to improve the prospects of families trying to escape poverty that would save taxpayer dollars? On this episode, Nic Dunn talks with Vance Ginn , President of Ginn Economic Consulting, host of the Let People Prosper Show, and a former chief economist at the White House Office of Management and Budget. They explore a proposal to replace multiple parts of the social safety net with just one program designed to help stabilize impoverished families while moving them toward work-based self-reliance. Show notes: Empowerment Accounts: Less Poverty and More Self-Sufficiency — Texas Public Policy Foundation Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity — Sutherland Institute Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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How to empower local school board members to lead education reform 47:27

17 days ago47:27

47:27

It’s common to see news reports about education policy debates at the federal level and in state legislatures. But what if one of the most important policy levers for education reform is much closer to home — yet gets ignored far too often? On this episode, Sutherland’s Nic Dunn and Christine Cooke Fairbanks talk with David Hoyt , executive director of School Boards for Academic Excellence. David argues that state and local school boards are actually one of the most important entities in our system for improving education. They discuss how school board members can positively impact a range of education policies, such as elevating the parent-teacher partnership by improving parental access to curriculum. Show notes: Parent-Driven Education in America: A Revival — Sutherland Institute How to leverage local school district policy to improve education — Sutherland Institute School Boards for Academic Excellence Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Rethinking poverty: Beyond material hardship to upward mobility, with Kevin Corinth 54:41

24 days ago54:41

54:41

Alleviating poverty has been a goal of the United States since the launch of the War on Poverty in the 1960s. But what if the way we think about – and talk about – poverty is all wrong? On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes AEI Senior Fellow Kevin Corinth , who also serves as deputy director of AEI’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility . They discuss how to elevate the nation’s understanding of how to truly measure and address poverty for American families in a way that is better oriented toward upward mobility and human flourishing. Show notes: Poorly Defined: Reforming the Poverty Line — AEI Policy Lens AEI Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity — Sutherland Institute Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Yuval Levin on how the Constitution is the solution to America’s broken politics 45:51

4 weeks ago45:51

45:51

If you’re frustrated by the dysfunction in American politics, you’re not alone. But what if the solution already exists within the very framework for our nation? This week on Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn sits down with AEI scholar Yuval Levin , author of American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — and Could Again . Levin argues that the Constitution’s design uniquely equips Americans for the current political climate, and that by understanding and embracing its true purpose, we can move beyond partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful progress. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Richard Reeves on why we need to address the challenges boys and men are facing today 55:41

5 weeks ago55:41

55:41

There’s a growing body of evidence that boys and men are struggling in today’s society, from mental health and education to work and family life. On this episode, Nic Dunn is joined by AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Feature Contributor Beth Akers to sit down with Richard Reeves , president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It . They discuss Richard’s findings and some of the political controversies that can make this issue difficult to talk about, and they offer a roadmap for finding solutions. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Utah Attorney General Derek Brown on defending the rule of law and constitutional structure 39:42

6 weeks ago39:42

39:42

These days, many political disagreements hinge on misunderstandings of the constitutional structure of state and federal government. How can we address this? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown to discuss his vision for the office, defending the rule of law and restoring America's constitutional order. Joined by Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan , they delve into federalism, separation of powers, federal overreach, the role of the courts, and how Utah is responding. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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More than just rights: What Americans get wrong about the Constitution 1:00:41

7 weeks ago1:00:41

1:00:41

Have Americans forgotten the actual purpose of the Constitution? This week on Defending Ideas, we delve into key themes from a recent Sutherland Institute event featuring Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, author and American Enterprise Institute scholar Yuval Levin, and former federal judge Thomas Griffith. Join host Nic Dunn and guest Bill Duncan as they explore how the Constitution serves as more than just a legal document – it's a “framework for national cohesion.” They discuss the importance of civic engagement, the balance between standing up for principles and seeking consensus, and how to foster unity in a divided nation through broader coalitions. This episode challenges us to view the Constitution not just as a protector of our rights, but as a guide for our responsibilities in self-government. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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A Deeper Look at Utah Voter Priorities 49:30

8 weeks ago49:30

49:30

What really matters to Utah voters? This week on Defending Ideas, we analyze a new voter priority survey with Jade Burt , director of research for Y2 Analytics, and Derek Monson , chief growth officer for Sutherland Institute. We break down issue priorities by demographic and voting profiles and analyze the diverse perspectives within the state's electorate. Join host Nic Dunn as we examine the data and explore its implications for elected officials, future candidates and Utahns seeking to understand their fellow citizens. Show notes: 2025 Utah Voter Priorities Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Could a smaller federal safety net save money while elevating work? 48:24

9 weeks ago48:24

48:24

There’s a ferocious debate in Washington, D.C., right now over possible cuts to a variety of different programs in the federal government. So what does this mean for the federally funded social safety net? Alliance for Opportunity Senior Fellow Les Ford joins host Nic Dunn to give an overview of some of the proposals in Congress through the lens of potential reforms to federal welfare programs. They discuss whether it’s possible to save taxpayer dollars while improving outcomes for families who truly need help getting back on their feet. Ford also offers perspective on broader reforms to the safety net, along with some updates on the Alliance for Opportunity's ongoing work. Show notes: Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution on State Innovation for Transition from Government Benefits to Self-reliance Why America needs a new welfare reform movement House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Empowering Parents Through Open Enrollment 44:19

10 weeks ago44:19

44:19

This episode of Defending Ideas explores how open enrollment policies empower parents to make educational choices for their children within the public school system. Guests Halli Faulkner , Senior Legislative Drafter with yes. every kid., and Christine Cooke Fairbanks , Education Policy Fellow with Sutherland Institute, discuss the benefits and challenges of open enrollment and how it can be improved. Show notes: Innovative Reforms for Utah’s Open Enrollment Law — Sutherland Institute Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Should Utah change its vote-by-mail system? 1:00:51

11 weeks ago1:00:51

1:00:51

The Utah legislature is considering changes to the state's vote-by-mail system. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with R Street Institute Resident Fellow in Governance Jonathan Madison , and Sutherland Institute Chief Growth Officer Derek Monson , to discuss whether these changes would boost or diminish public confidence in elections, examining how to balance voter convenience with election integrity. Show notes: Election Reform and Public Trust: What Utah voters think about proposed election reforms Elections Policy — Sutherland Institute Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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Special episode: Is a constitutional amendment the answer to money’s influence in politics? 45:22

12 weeks ago45:22

45:22

From super PACs, to “dark money,” to the increasingly eye-catching dollar amounts campaigns raise each year, the role of money in political campaigns raises serious questions and has been the source of much debate. This week on Defending Ideas, we’re releasing a special episode to ask: Can a constitutional amendment truly address the issue of money in politics? Is it the right approach? We explore the issue with American Promise CEO Jeff Clements . His organization is leading the charge for amending the U.S. Constitution to allow states the ability to regulate campaign finance issues in ways they currently can’t. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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The case for app store age verification to protect kids online 39:34

12 weeks ago39:34

39:34

How much control do parents really have over the online content their children have access to? Is there an appropriate role for government policy in this area? This episode of Defending Ideas explores the proposed App Store Accountability Act and whether government intervention to give parents more control over their kids' app downloads is warranted. The discussion features Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler , Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan , and child advocate and online safety expert Melissa McKay . They join Nic Dunn to discuss the potential harms of unfettered online access for children, precedents for age verification laws, and how this bill could empower parents. Show notes: Parents can’t be involved in child’s app downloads? That’s a legal stretch Perspective: App stores are exploiting our children. We must change that Opinion: Taking on Big Social Media — protecting kids, one bold move at a time S.B. 142 App Store Accountability Act Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.…

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How states can improve transparency to rein in federal agencies and restore federalism 49:13

13 weeks ago49:13