Alleviating poverty has been a goal of the United States since the launch of the War on Poverty in the 1960s. But what if the way we think about – and talk about – poverty is all wrong?

On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes @AEI Senior Fellow Kevin Corinth, who also serves as deputy director of AEI’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility. They discuss how to elevate the nation’s understanding of how to truly measure and address poverty for American families in a way that is better oriented toward upward mobility and human flourishing.

Show notes:
Poorly Defined: Reforming the Poverty Line — AEI Policy Lens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-LBNQw4Yc

AEI Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility https://cosm.aei.org/

Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/

Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/strengthening-the-american-dream/

If you’re frustrated by the dysfunction in American politics, you’re not alone. But what if the solution already exists within the very framework for our nation?
 
This week on Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn sits down with @AEI scholar Yuval Levin, author of American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — and Could Again. Levin argues that the Constitution’s design uniquely equips Americans for the current political climate, and that by understanding and embracing its true purpose, we can move beyond partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful progress.

There’s a growing body of evidence that boys and men are struggling in today’s society, from mental health and education to work and family life. On this episode, Nic Dunn is joined by AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Feature Contributor Beth Akers to sit down with Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It. They discuss Reeves' findings and some of the political controversies that can make this issue difficult to talk about, and they offer a roadmap for finding solutions.

These days, many political disagreements hinge on misunderstandings of the constitutional structure of state and federal government. How can we address this?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown to discuss his vision for the office, defending the rule of law, and restoring America's constitutional order. Joined by Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan, they delve into federalism, separation of powers, federal overreach, the role of the courts, and how Utah is responding.

Have Americans forgotten the actual purpose of the Constitution?

This week on Defending Ideas, we delve into key themes from a recent Sutherland Institute event featuring Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, author and American Enterprise Institute scholar Yuval Levin, and former federal judge Thomas Griffith. Join host Nic Dunn and guest Bill Duncan as they explore how the Constitution serves as more than just a legal document – it's a “framework for national cohesion.”

They discuss the importance of civic engagement, the balance between standing up for principles and seeking consensus, and how to foster unity in a divided nation through broader coalitions.

This episode challenges us to view the Constitution not just as a protector of our rights, but as a guide for our responsibilities in self-government.

What really matters to Utah voters? This week on Defending Ideas, we analyze a new voter priority survey with Jade Burt, director of research for Y2 Analytics, and Derek Monson, chief growth officer for Sutherland Institute. We break down issue priorities by demographic and voting profiles and analyze the diverse perspectives within the state's electorate. Join host Nic Dunn as we examine the data and explore its implications for elected officials, future candidates and Utahns seeking to understand their fellow citizens.

Show notes:
2025 Utah Voter Priorities https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/2025-utah-voter-priorities/

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?

Alliance for Opportunity Senior Fellow Les Ford joins host Nic Dunn to give an overview of some of the proposals in Congress through the lens of potential reforms to federal welfare programs. They discuss whether it’s possible to save taxpayer dollars while improving outcomes for families who truly need help getting back on their feet. Ford also offers perspective on broader reforms to the safety net, along with some updates on the Alliance for Opportunity's ongoing work.

Show notes:
Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/strengthening-the-american-dream/
H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution on State Innovation for Transition from Government Benefits to Self-reliance https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HCR008.html
Why America needs a new welfare reform movement https://sutherlandinstitute.org/why-america-needs-a-new-welfare-reform-movement/
House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling https://www.yahoo.com/news/house-republicans-unveil-blueprint-extend-180524608.html?guccounter=1

This episode of Defending Ideas explores how open enrollment policies empower parents to make educational choices for their children within the public school system. Guests Halli Faulkner, senior legislative drafter with yes. every kid., and Christine Cooke Fairbanks, education policy fellow with Sutherland Institute, discuss the benefits and challenges of open enrollment and how it can be improved.

Show notes:
Innovative Reforms for Utah’s Open Enrollment Law — Sutherland Institute https://s35049.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Reforms_Utah_Open_Enrollment.pdf

The Utah Legislature is considering changes to the state's vote-by-mail system. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with R Street Institute Resident Fellow in Governance Jonathan Madison and Sutherland Institute Chief Growth Officer Derek Monson to discuss whether these changes would boost or diminish public confidence in elections, examining how to balance voter convenience with election integrity.

Show notes:
Election Reform and Public Trust: What Utah voters think about proposed election reforms https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/election-reform-and-public-trust/
Elections Policy — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elections/

Alleviating poverty has been a goal of the United States since the launch of the War on Poverty in the 1960s. But what if the way we think about – and talk about – poverty is all wrong?

On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes @AEI Senior Fellow Kevin Corinth, who also serves as deputy director of AEI’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility. They discuss how to elevate the nation’s understanding of how to truly measure and address poverty for American families in a way that is better oriented toward upward mobility and human flourishing.

Show notes:
Poorly Defined: Reforming the Poverty Line — AEI Policy Lens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-LBNQw4Yc

AEI Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility https://cosm.aei.org/

Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/

Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/publications/strengthening-the-american-dream/

If you’re frustrated by the dysfunction in American politics, you’re not alone. But what if the solution already exists within the very framework for our nation?
 
This week on Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn sits down with @AEI scholar Yuval Levin, author of American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — and Could Again. Levin argues that the Constitution’s design uniquely equips Americans for the current political climate, and that by understanding and embracing its true purpose, we can move beyond partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful progress.

There’s a growing body of evidence that boys and men are struggling in today’s society, from mental health and education to work and family life. On this episode, Nic Dunn is joined by AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Feature Contributor Beth Akers to sit down with Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of the book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It. They discuss Reeves' findings and some of the political controversies that can make this issue difficult to talk about, and they offer a roadmap for finding solutions.