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.
Can states solve America’s benefits cliffs crisis? | Keith Barnes
What parent would take a raise if it meant their family would be worse off? That’s the reality for many families facing the “benefits cliff.”
Inside the federal government shutdown | Matt Weidinger
The federal government shutdown isn’t just a budget story, it’s a reflection of deeper challenges in how Congress governs.
The public good of private faith | Bill Duncan and Sam Abrams
In today’s cultural climate, religion is often treated as a purely private matter — something best kept out of public life. But what if that assumption is missing the bigger picture?
Beyond the rivalry: Presidents of BYU & Utah on building a better Utah
It’s rivalry week in Utah, but before the battle on the gridiron, the presidents of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah join the show to discuss collaboration.
Rethinking welfare, upward mobility, and human dignity | Charles Murray
Most debates on poverty focus on small reforms to America’s welfare system. But what if the system itself is the problem?
Free speech, civility, and civic courage | Rep. Celeste Maloy
Do you ever self-censor your political views because you’re worried about how others might react, or even fear backlash for sharing what you really believe?
The redistricting battle: What does the constitution say? | Bill Duncan
As redistricting debates make headlines in Utah and across the nation, a deeper issue is being overlooked: Who really has the constitutional authority to draw electoral maps?
What’s next for America in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination?
Following the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, Nic Dunn offers how Americans should respond to political violence and polarization.
Republic vs. regime: Who wins the AI arms race? | Sarah Hunt
How is AI reshaping the world’s superpowers? We explore how energy and culture could determine the battle for dominance.
The roadmap to restore trust in elections | Matthew Weil & Derek Monson
The conversation covers California’s ballot counting process, why states should learn from one another, a new survey on voter confidence, and why transparency, evidence, and citizen engagement remain essential to maintaining trust in American elections.
Rebuilding trust in America’s elections | Ben Ginsberg & Bill Duncan
The conversation explores the constitutional role of states in election administration, the limits of federal authority, the importance of institutional trust, and why federalism may offer a better framework for addressing election concerns moving forward.
What the Declaration of Independence still teaches us | Jay Lapeyre & Lawson Bader
Their conversation explores individual dignity, natural rights, constitutional self-government, and how a renewed focus on America’s founding principles could help reduce political division and strengthen civic culture for the next 250 years.
