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.
Legislative wins for religious freedom, family policy and more in the 2024 session
With Utah's 2024 legislative session now in the rearview mirror, what actually passed, and will it benefit Utahns?
Can a conservative vision save education? With Rick Hess
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?
Understanding the border crisis
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.
Should Utah keep ranked choice voting for city elections? With Josh Daniels
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.
Can this one civic institution save civilization? Brad Wilcox on his new book: Get Married
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."
Why Utah Needs a Religious Freedom Restoration Act
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."
What Utah’s ranking as best state for social mobility teaches us about poverty
What are the right ingredients for creating the best chance of upward mobility for the most people? There's a strong argument to be made that Utah has the answer.
Are we losing the war on poverty? Angela Rachidi on the success sequence as a solution
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?
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. We explain why many other states are looking to Utah's unique approach to welfare and workforce development.
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?
The most important election?
On this special election day edition of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute President and CEO Rick Larsen, and Sutherland Chief Development Officer Peter Reichard.
