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.
Could a smaller federal safety net save money while elevating work?
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?
Empowering Parents Through Open Enrollment
How do open enrollment policies empower parents to make educational choices for their children within the public school system?
Should Utah change its vote-by-mail system?
We discuss whether proposed policy changes would boost or diminish public confidence in elections, examining how to balance voter convenience with election integrity.
Special episode: Is a constitutional amendment the answer to money’s influence in politics?
Can a constitutional amendment truly address the issue of money in politics? Is it the right approach?
The case for app store age verification to protect kids online
How much control do parents really have over the online content their children have access to?
How states can improve transparency to rein in federal agencies and restore federalism
State government agencies are supposed to be accountable to that state’s voters through their elected representatives. But what happens when federal agencies try to directly influence what state agencies do in ways that elected officials may not even know about?
What’s next for Utah’s effort to return federal public lands to state control?
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Utah’s public lands lawsuit. What does this mean for the states’ prospects for having stronger management of land within their own borders?
Why Utah Gov. Spencer Cox focused on social capital in his second inaugural
What does it really take for a state to be successful, and what is Utah’s secret?
Work Disincentives and the Safety Net: Insights from the Atlanta Fed’s Alex Ruder
If you work harder and earn more, your family should be better off. But for some on the government safety net, that may not always be the case.
Is family life still doable today? | Francesco Di Lillo
Family policy debates often focus on affordability, housing, or cultural change. But a deeper question is emerging: do young people still believe family life is even possible?
Shaping AI for human flourishing | Medlir Mema
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, but who should shape how it develops?
The Upward Mobility Act | Sen. Husted & Rep. Moore
Sen. Husted and Rep. Moore join the show to discuss the bipartisan Upward Mobility Act working its way through Congress.
