This week marks the 100th episode of Defending Ideas—and to celebrate, we’re joined by one of the nation’s leading conservative thinkers. Ramesh Ponnuru is editor of National Review, a columnist for The Washington Post, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

In this milestone conversation, Ramesh and host Nic Dunn explore the current state of the conservative movement, where it’s headed, and how to build a forward-looking, reform-minded vision grounded in constitutional principles and the promise of the American Dream.

If you’re ready to move beyond short-term political fights and focus on what conservatism should stand for, this episode is for you.

Imagine getting access to potentially life-saving medical care or screenings in the same place you buy shampoo. Thanks to artificial intelligence — coupled with advances in telehealth — this is already happening.

The impact of AI on healthcare certainly raises important questions, such as whether AI will ultimately replace your doctor or simply help them better do their jobs. To explore this, Nic Dunn sat down with Naomi Lopez, founder and principal of Nexus Policy Consulting and contributor to a range of state-based public policy institutions. They discuss the promises and potential concerns that may arise as the use of this technology becomes more widespread.

Show Notes:
– AI in Healthcare 2025: A Toolkit for State Lawmakers https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3d59810b-da6b-48d2-a6d6-111715862e23/downloads/9cf601e9-f941-4d96-9e65-360f0a904fb0/AI%20in%20Healthcare%202025%20A%20Toolkit%20for%20State%20Lawm.pdf?ver=1741059407034
– Lifesaving AI in Aisle 12? https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/lifesaving-ai-in-aisle-12
– AI-Supported Mammogram Reading Detects 20% More Cancers https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/ai-mammogram-reading
– Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Futures: Reforming Tennessee’s Policies for Families with Young Children https://lozierinstitute.org/supporting-mothers-strengthening-futures-reforming-tennessees-policies-for-families-with-young-children/

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

President Trump’s tariffs have reignited a national debate: Are they a path to restoring working-class prosperity, or a protectionist misstep that ultimately hurts American consumers?
 
Defenders of tariffs often argue that the measures will restore manufacturing jobs, which they claim have suffered and negatively impacted the economic prospects of male workers in particular. The more traditional economic view is that tariffs amount to a tax on American consumers, and that claims of broad benefits are dubious at best.
 
On this episode, host Nic Dunn is joined once again by AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Contributor Beth Akers. Beth and Nic talk with two expert guests — Mark DiPlacido of American Compass and Scott Winship of the American Enterprise Institute — to steelman the arguments on both sides.

Work is essential for upward mobility, stability, and overall well-being. Yet for millions of men across the United States, work is increasingly absent from daily life. What’s behind this trend, and how does it impact society?

On this episode, Defending Ideas contributor and AEI Senior Fellow Beth Akers joins host Nic Dunn for a conversation with Nick Eberstadt, author of the book Men Without Work. Nick also holds the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at AEI.

They explore the troubling reality that millions of working-age men in America are no longer working or looking for a job, and discuss how it impacts society as a whole.

New technology can profoundly change our lives, and artificial intelligence is no exception. But as AI becomes more ubiquitous, especially in the workplace, will its impact be more innovative or disruptive?

On this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn is joined by AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell. Brent offers an optimistic yet grounded vision of how the advent of AI can positively affect the future. They discuss how AI is reshaping the world of work and why — if it’s properly leveraged — this new technology could become a huge accelerator for human productivity and flourishing.

Show notes:
AI Talent: It’s Not Just for High Tech Anymore — AEI https://www.aei.org/domestic-policy/ai-talent-its-not-just-for-high-tech-anymore/
Measuring and Building Human Leadership in an AI World — AEI https://www.aei.org/domestic-policy/measuring-and-building-human-leadership-in-an-ai-world/

Should parents have a meaningful say in what their children learn — and how they learn it? On this episode of Defending Ideas, we examine two pivotal legal battles shaping the future of parental rights in education: one challenging a state-level school choice program, and another headed to the U.S. Supreme Court that could restrict a parent’s ability to opt their child out of curriculum that conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Host Nic Dunn is joined by Bill Duncan, Sutherland’s Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow, and Christine Cooke Fairbanks, Sutherland’s Education Policy Fellow.

They help answer a critical question raised by these cases: How should the public education system accommodate the diverse values of American families? This conversation explores both constitutional principles and common-sense reasoning for prioritizing parental engagement, and why doing so is essential for a pluralistic, self-governing society.

Show notes:
In fight between Maryland school district and parental rights, U.S. Supreme Court should protect religious freedom — Deseret News https://sutherlandinstitute.org/in-fight-between-maryland-school-district-and-parental-rights-u-s-supreme-court-should-protect-religious-freedom/
Utah Fits All legal fight demonstrates why we need judicial reform — Sutherland Insights https://sutherlandinstitute.org/utah-fits-all-legal-fight-demonstrates-why-we-need-judicial-reform/
The Mahmoud case and ongoing education policy debates — Sutherland Insights https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-mahmoud-case-and-ongoing-education-policy-debates/
Religious Contributions to Education: Social Benefits of Religion, Volume 3 — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/reports/religious-contributions-to-education/

Should federal welfare programs do more to promote work? Congressman Mike Kennedy of Utah’s 3rd District says yes. On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. Kennedy to hear his personal story of growing up in poverty, how it shaped his views on the power of work, and why he believes the Let’s Get to Work Act can help more families achieve self-reliance. They also dive into the importance of addressing benefits cliffs, empowering states as innovators, and building a 21st-century safety net rooted in the dignity of work.

Show notes:
Republicans should address welfare’s work disincentives in budget reconciliation — Washington Examiner https://sutherlandinstitute.org/republicans-should-address-welfares-work-disincentives-in-budget-reconciliation/
Strengthening the American Dream: Addressing benefits cliffs to empower safety net participants to pursue work and opportunity https://sutherlandinstitute.org/reports/strengthening-the-american-dream/
Utah lawmaker pushes to expand work requirements for SNAP assistance — Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/02/12/republicans-expand-snap-work-requirements/
Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/

There’s a lot of debate in Washington, D.C., and across the country right now about how to reform federal programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps. But what if there were a more effective way to improve the prospects of families trying to escape poverty that would save taxpayer dollars?

On this episode, Nic Dunn talks with Vance Ginn, President of Ginn Economic Consulting, host of the Let People Prosper Show, and a former chief economist at the White House Office of Management and Budget. They explore a proposal to replace multiple parts of the social safety net with just one program designed to help stabilize impoverished families while moving them toward work-based self-reliance.

Show notes:
Empowerment Accounts: Less Poverty and More Self-Sufficiency — Texas Public Policy Foundation https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-08-AfO-EmpowermentAccounts-GinnCrusiusTurner.pdf
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/
Work & Opportunity Initiative — Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/

It’s common to see news reports about education policy debates at the federal level and in state legislatures. But what if one of the most important policy levers for education reform is much closer to home — yet gets ignored far too often?

On this episode, Sutherland’s Nic Dunn and Christine Cooke Fairbanks talk with David Hoyt, executive director of School Boards for Academic Excellence. David argues that state and local school boards are actually one of the most important entities in our system for improving education. They discuss how school board members can positively impact a range of education policies, such as elevating the parent-teacher partnership by improving parental access to curriculum.

This week marks the 100th episode of Defending Ideas—and to celebrate, we’re joined by one of the nation’s leading conservative thinkers. Ramesh Ponnuru is editor of National Review, a columnist for The Washington Post, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

In this milestone conversation, Ramesh and host Nic Dunn explore the current state of the conservative movement, where it’s headed, and how to build a forward-looking, reform-minded vision grounded in constitutional principles and the promise of the American Dream.

If you’re ready to move beyond short-term political fights and focus on what conservatism should stand for, this episode is for you.

Imagine getting access to potentially life-saving medical care or screenings in the same place you buy shampoo. Thanks to artificial intelligence — coupled with advances in telehealth — this is already happening.

The impact of AI on healthcare certainly raises important questions, such as whether AI will ultimately replace your doctor or simply help them better do their jobs. To explore this, Nic Dunn sat down with Naomi Lopez, founder and principal of Nexus Policy Consulting and contributor to a range of state-based public policy institutions. They discuss the promises and potential concerns that may arise as the use of this technology becomes more widespread.

Show Notes:
– AI in Healthcare 2025: A Toolkit for State Lawmakers https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3d59810b-da6b-48d2-a6d6-111715862e23/downloads/9cf601e9-f941-4d96-9e65-360f0a904fb0/AI%20in%20Healthcare%202025%20A%20Toolkit%20for%20State%20Lawm.pdf?ver=1741059407034
– Lifesaving AI in Aisle 12? https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/lifesaving-ai-in-aisle-12
– AI-Supported Mammogram Reading Detects 20% More Cancers https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/ai-mammogram-reading
– Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Futures: Reforming Tennessee’s Policies for Families with Young Children https://lozierinstitute.org/supporting-mothers-strengthening-futures-reforming-tennessees-policies-for-families-with-young-children/

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

President Trump’s tariffs have reignited a national debate: Are they a path to restoring working-class prosperity, or a protectionist misstep that ultimately hurts American consumers?
 
Defenders of tariffs often argue that the measures will restore manufacturing jobs, which they claim have suffered and negatively impacted the economic prospects of male workers in particular. The more traditional economic view is that tariffs amount to a tax on American consumers, and that claims of broad benefits are dubious at best.
 
On this episode, host Nic Dunn is joined once again by AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Contributor Beth Akers. Beth and Nic talk with two expert guests — Mark DiPlacido of American Compass and Scott Winship of the American Enterprise Institute — to steelman the arguments on both sides.