It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat. This oft-quoted phrase has been articulated as a guiding principle by many elected officials wading into voting and election policy debates in recent years. So why has this issue been so contentious, and what’s the solution? Nic Dunn sits down with Justin Jones, executive director of the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University, and Sutherland’s Derek Monson to discuss the fault lines in the debate over voting and election policy. They equip listeners with an elevated approach to one of the most important – and contentious – issues that will likely top the news throughout the 2024 election cycle.  Show notes: Transcript: Post-election analysis with Yuval Levin - Sutherland Institute About | Herbert Institute | Utah Valley University (uvu.edu)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Is raising the minimum wage a good tool to help low-income workers achieve upward mobility? That's the key question at the heart of the debate over California's new $20-an-hour minimum wage law for fast food workers. Economist Beth Akers joins host Nic Dunn to explore the arguments on both sides and explore the unintended consequences of this policy. They discuss the impact this new law is having on businesses, articulating a principled approach that's both pro-free enterprise and pro-upward mobility. Beth is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a contributor to Defending Ideas. Show notes:Beth Akers - Sutherland InstituteHalf a million California workers will get $20 minimum wage, starting today : NPRCalifornia Restaurants Cut Jobs as Fast-Food Wages Set to Rise - WSJCalifornia’s New Minimum Wage Law Will Bring Higher Pay To Fast-Food Workers, Along With Unintended Job Losses (forbes.com)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Most people would agree that civility seems to be in short supply in our current political environment. But in recent years, a growing chorus of voices across the political spectrum has been calling for a return to principles of civility in politics, as well as all areas of public life. This week's guest is Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra sits down with host Nic Dunn to discuss her experiences working in the federal government that prompted her to write this book. She articulates why civility is needed in personal and public life now more than ever and outlines an approach each of us can take to interact with others – especially those with whom we disagree – in a way that strengthens true discourse and heals our nation.Show notes:The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves: Hudson, Alexandra: Amazon.com: BooksHome - Alexandra Hudson (alexandraohudson.com)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Do we need to reinvigorate the conservative movement, and is "Freedom Conservatism" the answer? This week's Defending Ideas episode addresses both of those questions and helps equip listeners to apply long-standing American principles to what seem like intractable modern political and policy challenges. Nic Dunn is joined by John Hood, one of the leaders behind the Freedom Conservatism movement and a co-author of its statement of principles. John is also the president of the John William Pope Foundation and former president and board member for the John Locke Foundation, both based in North Carolina.John articulates the vision of Freedom Conservatism, arguing that the American right still needs to stand for limited government, free enterprise, free speech, free trade, strong families, and a robust defense of American interests.Show notes:Freedom Conservatism: A Statement of PrinciplesJohn Hood | John William Pope Foundation (jwpf.org)Freedom Conservatives Will Keep America Great | RealClearPoliticsDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Is it harder to raise kids today than it was in years or decades past? For many current or prospective parents, this question may often be top of mind as they navigate decisions about marriage and family.Tim Carney joins host Nic Dunn on this week's Defending Ideas episode to discuss his new book: Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be.Tim is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior columnist for the Washington Examiner. He argues that aspects of modern culture have made raising a family unnecessarily harder, and points to cultural and policy solutions that can fix this. Show notes:Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be: Carney, Timothy PTimothy P. Carney | American Enterprise Institute - AEIHow family policy debates sometimes ignore the family itself - Sutherland InstituteFamily relationships are an antidote to America's loneliness epidemic - Sutherland InstituteCan this one civic institution save civilization? Brad Wilcox on his new book: Get Married - Sutherland InstituteWatch: Gov. Gov. Cox calls on Utahns to work together on quality of life issues in his 2022 State of the State address | Governor Spencer J. CoxDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Housing affordability is one of the most important issues for Utah voters, and for too many families, owning a home may feel out of reach. Amid rising housing costs, many Utahns are wondering what can be done to make homeownership more affordable.On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes back AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Feature Contributor Beth Akers for another Defending Enterprise installment. Beth sits down with local and national housing experts to help listeners understand the problem and what state leaders in Utah are doing about it. Guests:Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow with the Kem C. Gardner Policy InstituteScott Lincicome, vice president of general economics with the Cato InstituteSteve Waldrip, senior advisor to the governor for housing strategy and innovationShow notes:Publications | 2024 Voter Priorities - Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

With Utah's 2024 legislative session now in the rearview mirror, what actually passed, and will it benefit Utahns?Sutherland Institute was involved with legislation impacting issues including religious freedom, family policy, education and elections. On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland's policy experts to profile these issues and discuss the policy impacts of what passed and what failed. Interview Guests:Stan Rasmussen, VP of Government AffairsChristine Cooke Fairbanks, Education Policy FellowBill Duncan, Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom FellowDerek Monson, Chief Growth OfficerShow notes:Small steps to big wins – 5 legislative victories that will benefit Utahns - Sutherland InstitutePublications | 2024 Voter Priorities - Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Education has become one of the most polarized issues in state and national politics in recent years. The debates over what should be taught to students, and even the overall purpose of education, prompt an important question: What is the right vision for education in America?Rick Hess joins Nic Dunn on this week's episode to discuss his new book, co-authored with Michael McShane: Getting Education Right: A Conservative Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College.Rick is a senior fellow and the director of education policy studies for the American Enterprise Institute. He argues that we need to refocus education on its proper institutional and civic purpose, offering a vision for how to orient future education policy discussions in a way that should be broadly popular among Americans. Sutherland's education policy fellow, Christine Cooke Fairbanks, also joins the discussion to show how principles like elevating families and strengthening parent-teacher partnerships can be successfully implemented, citing examples in Utah. Show notes:Getting Education Right: A Conservative Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College | American Enterprise Institute – AEIFrederick M. Hess | American Enterprise Institute – AEIChristine Cooke Fairbanks – Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

What is going on at the U.S./Mexico border in Texas? After a wave of national news coverage profiling recent significant increases in border crossings, questions remain about the legal conflict between state and federal authorities over who is actually in charge of border security. On this episode, Deseret News Politics Reporter Brigham Tomco joins host Nic Dunn to give a first-hand account of what's actually happening at the border based on his recent coverage for the Deseret News. Later in the show, Sutherland Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan joins to discuss the legal battle between Texas and the federal government. Bill and Nic go over the arguments on both sides as the issue moves through the judicial process.Finally, Sutherland Chief Growth Officer Derek Monson sits down with Nic to explore why this issue is so polarizing, offering some tips for how to discuss contentious topics like this with more respect for those who disagree. Show notes:What’s happening in Eagle Pass Texas - Deseret NewsWhat’s behind the mess at the Texas border? - Sutherland InstituteBrigham Tomco - Deseret NewsDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Should municipal governments be allowed to use ranked choice voting for local elections? The Utah State Legislature has recently taken up the question. On this episode we explore how this form of voting works and discuss new Sutherland survey data showing that most likely voters in Utah support keeping the option.Host Nic Dunn is joined by Josh Daniels, a former Utah County Clerk who is currently with Utah Ranked Choice Voting, and Derek Monson, Sutherland's chief growth officer, who has written extensively about ranked choice voting. Show notes:Publications | Ranked Choice Voting Survey - Sutherland InstitutePublications | Benefits and Drawbacks of Ranked Choice Voting - Sutherland InstitutePolicy | Elections - Sutherland InstituteHB 290 Ranked Choice Voting Amendments (utah.gov)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

What if many of the challenges American society is facing today – declining happiness, "deaths of despair," eroding civic engagement, insufficient upward mobility – all tie back to one major institution?Brad Wilcox returns to the show to discuss his new book: "Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization." He and host Nic Dunn discuss the evidence for marriage and family being the biggest predictor of happiness in adults, why this institution may seem under attack in some circles, and what to do about it.Show notes:Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save CivilizationAmerican Enterprise Institute book event with Brad WilcoxIs Getting Married A Good Idea? | IN 60 SECONDS (youtube.com)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Utah could strengthen religious freedom protections in a significant way during the current legislative session, with the passage of a state version of a "religious freedom restoration act." Sen. Todd Weiler joins host Nic Dunn to discuss Senate Bill 150 Exercise of Religion Amendments, which would create a higher standard in the law to prevent undue restriction of religious liberties. Sutherland Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan then joins the discussion to respond to criticisms of the bill and make the case for why this kind of law is the right approach for Utah. Show notes:SB 150 Exercise of Religion Amendments (utah.gov)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

What are the right ingredients for creating the best chance of upward mobility for the most people? Policy experts and elected officials trying to reduce poverty have asked versions of this question for decades. There's a strong argument to be made that Utah has the answer.A new report from the Archbridge Institute ranks social mobility in all 50 states, with Utah taking the top spot as the best state in the nation for opportunity. Nic Dunn sits down with the authors of this new study to discuss their findings. Gonzalo Schwarz is the President and CEO of the Archbridge Institute. Justin Callais is a Research Fellow with Archbridge, and he teaches economics and finance at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They outline why Utah does so well in social mobility metrics, where the state can still improve, and what other states could learn.Show notes:Social Mobility in the 50 States - Archbridge InstituteThe Archbridge Institute is an independent nonpartisan public policy thinktank based in Washington, D.C.Guest opinion: Utah tops social mobility rankings: What others can learn, what can be improved - Archbridge InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Sixty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched America's "War on Poverty." The goal? To equip Americans stuck in poverty with the tools to achieve success. If we fast forward to 2024, we might ask: Are we winning or losing the war on poverty?On this episode we explore why the national effort to address poverty started with laudable goals, how the government policies that have resulted since haven't actually lived up to the initial aspiration, and what to do about it.Nic Dunn is joined by Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on poverty, safety net programs, family policy and workforce development. Angela points out flaws in existing federal anti-poverty efforts, explaining how the success sequence is a better framework on which to build policies to address poverty. Show notes:Poverty & Public Policy: Safety-Net Programs Need Reform | National ReviewDynamics of Families After a Nonmarital Birth | American Enterprise Institute - AEIPolicy | Success Sequence - Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Is work a punishment or a blessing? This question is often at the heart of debates about how to help people striving to get out of poverty as well as discussions on the role of things like work requirements. Utah has an answer to this question, and on this episode we explain why many other states are looking to Utah's unique approach to welfare and workforce development.Nic Dunn sits down with two different guests this week to discuss "The Utah Model" and how the way government programs are set up can either help or hurt those working to escape poverty. Mason Bishop is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and the principal and owner of WorkED Consulting. He is the author of "The Utah Model," an AEI paper that outlines why Utah's approach to colocating safety net programs and workforce development resources under one state agency has benefited Utahns. Mason also outlines why this is the only one of its kind throughout the nation and why other states are taking interest. Nate McDonald is the former deputy director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Show notes:The Utah Model: Workforce Programs and Services Integration Tool Kit | American Enterprise Institute - AEIReform This Workforce Law and Bring on State Policy Entrepreneurs | American Enterprise Institute - AEIWhy America needs a new welfare reform movement - Sutherland InstituteDepartment of Workforce Services (utah.gov)Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Are you better off today than you were four years ago? This is a common question voters hear from candidates during an election year. But on this episode, two economists ask that question, then try to answer it using economic data. They say the evidence shows that overall the economy is showing signs of strength, but there's a disconnect: Regular Americans don't believe they're better off. What's causing this?This week's episode features AEI Senior Fellow Beth Akers in another Defending Enterprise feature segment. Beth interviews Claudia Sahm, a former Federal Reserve economist who now runs her own economic consulting firm. They discuss the latest economic indicators, coupled with consumer sentiment data, exploring why some of the experts and average Americans diverge on their current views of the economy. Defending Enterprise is a regular feature segment with contributor Beth Akers. This segment is intended to equip listeners to become better champions of the free enterprise system. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

As the policy implications of intact families gain traction in public debate, one positive impact of healthy marriages and strong families often gets ignored: civic engagement. This week, guest Brandon Dabling sits down with Nic Dunn to discuss how the institution of marriage and family impacts the civic health of the United States. Brandon is an independent researcher and the author of A New Birth of Marriage: Love, Politics, and the Vision of the Founders.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Public discussions of "the good life" usually center on things like a quality job, decent pay and other benefits that are primarily material. But what if – as a society – we're missing the things that truly impact happiness and human flourishing? Even when we discuss what's been described as America's "loneliness epidemic," too often the importance of human connection and strong families get left out. Guest Dr. Jenet Erickson joins host Nic Dunn to show why human connection through meaningful relationships – like those within a family unit – are generally much more important for a flourishing life than the things that usually get measured and publicly discussed. They discuss how to restore these principles to the center of the public debates about our biggest societal challenges. Jenet is a family fellow at the BYU Wheatley Institute, a senior fellow for the Institute for Family Studies, and a co-author of “The Utah Family Miracle: Five Policy Ideas to Keep Utah Families Strong and Stable,” a report issued jointly between Sutherland Institute and the Institute for Family Studies.Show notes:Jenet Jacob Erickson – Wheatley Institute (byu.edu)America has a loneliness epidemic. Here are 6 steps to address it – NPRPublications | Utah Family Miracle – Sutherland InstitutePolicy | Success Sequence – Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

New survey data shows that a majority of likely voters in Utah support the concepts of the success sequence and approve of teaching them in schools. So, when critics still push back against the sequence – education, work, and marriage before kids – as one of the best frameworks for avoiding poverty and living a successful and happy life, what's the best response?Sutherland Visiting Scholar Brad Wilcox returns to the podcast to give a rebuttal to some of the better-known critics of the success sequence. He joins host Nic Dunn to review the latest survey data showing broad bipartisan support for teaching the success sequence among likely voters in Utah and to make the case that the third step in the sequence – marriage – still matters for kids' outcomes. Brad is also a fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, director of the National Marriage Project, professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Show notes:Success Sequence – Sutherland InstituteFor kids, marriage still matters – Sutherland InstituteUncommonly Popular: Public Support for Teaching the Success Sequence in School | American Enterprise Institute – AEIDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Debates about family policy often focus on an array of programs or interventions like licensed child care, pre-K or the K-12 education system. But all too often, the family itself as an optimal environment for the healthy development of young children – and a fundamental institution of civil society – gets left out of the discussion.This week’s guest explains why we need to elevate the family as “essential infrastructure” for children and society. She also argues for better inclusion of the evidence showing which environments are truly optimal for early childhood development. Dr. Katharine Stevens is the founder and CEO of the Center on Child and Family Policy and formerly led AEI’s early childhood program as a resident scholar. She joins host Nic Dunn to help recenter true pro-family policy at the core of our public debates and offer policymakers and voters a framework for a better approach. Show notes: Center on Child and Family Policy (ccfp.org)A Flawed Agenda for America's Young Children — Center on Child and Family Policy (ccfp.org)Does Pre-K Work? The Research on Ten Early Childhood Programs — and What it Tells Us — Center on Child and Family Policy (ccfp.org)How a Faulty Generalization is Sabotaging Early Childhood Policy — Center on Child and Family Policy (ccfp.org)Mitt Romney says Democrats’ proposals are biased toward parents working outside home – Deseret NewsParents want more time with their kids. We should find ways to help them - Sutherland InstituteDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.