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.
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.
What 2024 means for the nation’s political future, with Jason Perry and Maura Carabello
As 2024 winds down, what do the results of this election year mean for the future of politics and policy debates for the United States?
Why the Supreme Court should take up Utah’s public lands case
The federal government controls nearly 70% of the land in Utah, and has for a long time. Is this a problem?
Should the U.S. Department of Education be abolished?
What does this mean for a broader education policy agenda for the next four years?
Navigating political disagreement during the holidays
This episode of Defending Ideas is a special holiday message. Host Nic Dunn draws from themes of past episodes to offer a framework for navigating political disagreement with loved ones during the holidays.
How to empower those on the social safety net to pursue work and opportunity
America is the land of opportunity. So how should we respond when new evidence shows that some families actually feel discouraged from working harder for the American Dream?
What’s next now that election season is over?
The election is over, and we now know the results. So, what’s next for public discourse, election trust, and political polarization?
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.
