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.

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?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Randy Hicks, president and CEO of the @GeorgiaopportunityOrg.They discuss new evidence of how families on the social safety net sometimes feel disincentivized from pursuing work and opportunity, and how the Georgia Center for Opportunity is trying to improve the nation's safety net and empower more families to escape poverty.

Show notes:
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 issue page – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/
Sutherland launches Work & Opportunity Initiative with new research https://sutherlandinstitute.org/sutherland-launches-work-opportunity-initiative-with-new-research/

The election is over, and we now know the results. So, what’s next for public discourse, election trust, and political polarization? On this episode we continue our special Election Day coverage with part two of a mini-roundtable discussion with Sutherland executives.

Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Stan Rasmussen to evaluate what the conclusion of the 2024 election cycle means for the state and nation moving forward.

Show notes:
Opinion: Ensuring the peaceful resolution of future elections – Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2024/11/11/peaceful-resolution-of-american-us-elections/
The most important election? – Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-most-important-election/

Election Day is here, and it’s understandable to feel stressed or worried about the outcome. But what if there is something that has a bigger impact on America’s future than who wins? 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.

They address the overheated rhetoric that has been commonplace this election cycle, drawing from historical examples and long-standing principles to argue that how Americans act – toward each other and toward our civic institutions – actually matters more than who wins on Election Day.

Show notes: 

Those who treat politics as religion undermine the Constitution they claim to love – Deseret News
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/those-who-treat-politics-as-religion-undermine-the-constitution-they-claim-to-love/
Those who treat politics as religion undermine the country – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1zCCqhjP4o
The most ‘consequential’ election – Sutherland Institute
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-most-consequential-election/
Sutherland series on past presidential elections – by Peter Reichard
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/author/petersifreedom-org/

The cost of housing is a major issue here in Utah and across the nation, and there are many different proposals to address it. But what is the approach that policymakers should take?

On this episode, we sit down with a national housing expert who has a plan that he says would increase Utah’s housing supply significantly without needing any government subsidies. Ed Pinto is a senior fellow at @AEI, where he also serves as co-director of the AEI Housing Center. He joins Nic Dunn to offer what he calls a “Housing Success Playbook” for Utah and offers crucial takeaways for policymakers.

This episode is in conjunction with the joint Sutherland Institute/AEI Housing Solutions Summit, sponsored by Clyde Companies.

Show notes:
Harris’s Down Payment Assistance Plan Would Push Home Prices Higher – AEI https://www.aei.org/articles/harris-down-payment-assistance-plan-would-push-home-prices-higher/
The Kamala Harris Plan for More Housing Shortages – WSJ https://www.wsj.com/opinion/harris-would-worsen-housing-shortages-policy-election-411f8c6a
AEI Housing Center https://www.aei.org/centers/housing-center/
Is zoning reform the answer to high housing costs? – Sutherland’s Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/is-zoning-reform-the-answer-to-high-housing-costs-with-nolan-gray/
Utah’s pricey housing market and how to fix it – Sutherland’s Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/utahs-pricey-housing-market-and-how-to-fix-it/

The 2024 election is the first time artificial intelligence has begun to play a noticeable role during campaign season. What does that mean for the way we conduct elections in this country?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with an expert in AI and election policy to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges presented by this new technology. Chris McIsaac is a resident fellow in governance at the Washington, D.C.-based R Street Institute, where he focuses on electoral reform and budget policy.

Chris articulates an optimistic vision of the advent of AI. He even suggests that – if approached the right way – this new technology could actually strengthen trust by improving the administration of elections as well as the voter experience.

Show notes:
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Elections – R Street Institute https://www.rstreet.org/research/impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-elections/
R Sheet on AI and Elections – R Street Institute https://www.rstreet.org/research/r-sheet-on-ai-and-elections/
Election Policy – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elections/

We’ve all seen the controversy in recent years in the news and online over the issue of election security. So, what is actually going on, and is your vote secure?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson, Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman, and Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie. Together they address some of the common questions voters may have about the security of elections in Utah, dispel some myths, and equip listeners to better defend the strength of Utah’s election system.

Show notes:
State of Elections Address – Hinckley Institute https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/2024/10/03/state-of-elections-address-hinckley-institute/
Securing Utah’s Elections – Security Safeguards https://vote.utah.gov/safe/
Elections Policy – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/elections/

What’s the proper role of citizen ballot initiatives compared to laws passed by the state Legislature as different methods to create public policy? On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Bill Duncan to dive into the debate over Amendment D, which was a proposal to amend Utah’s Constitution with that very question in mind.

They explore some of the bigger constitutional questions voters aren’t hearing about in the press and offer a framework for how policymakers and the public should view this issue moving forward.

Show notes:

Amendment D decision should heighten focus on the most important constitutional considerations – Deseret News https://sutherlandinstitute.org/amendment-d-decision-should-heighten-focus-on-the-most-important-constitutional-considerations/

Missing the significance of the voter initiative amendment – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/missing-the-significance-of-the-voter-initiative-amendment/

The freedom to live your faith is a bedrock American principle. But has the right of religious freedom always enjoyed the level of protection that it does today?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Thomas Lehrman, executive producer of a new documentary called "Free Exercise: America's Story of Religious Liberty." The film tells the story of the fight for religious freedom, and how those efforts influenced other rights that Americans enjoy today. Nic and Thomas discuss why this story matters, and how it impacts ongoing debates over religious freedom.

Show notes:

The Filmmakers – Free Exercise Movie: https://freeexercisemovie.com/the-filmmakers/

Policy | Religious Freedom - Sutherland Institute: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-religious-freedom/

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.

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?

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Randy Hicks, president and CEO of the @GeorgiaopportunityOrg.They discuss new evidence of how families on the social safety net sometimes feel disincentivized from pursuing work and opportunity, and how the Georgia Center for Opportunity is trying to improve the nation's safety net and empower more families to escape poverty.

Show notes:
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 issue page – Sutherland Institute https://sutherlandinstitute.org/work-and-opportunity/
Sutherland launches Work & Opportunity Initiative with new research https://sutherlandinstitute.org/sutherland-launches-work-opportunity-initiative-with-new-research/

The election is over, and we now know the results. So, what’s next for public discourse, election trust, and political polarization? On this episode we continue our special Election Day coverage with part two of a mini-roundtable discussion with Sutherland executives.

Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland’s Derek Monson and Stan Rasmussen to evaluate what the conclusion of the 2024 election cycle means for the state and nation moving forward.

Show notes:
Opinion: Ensuring the peaceful resolution of future elections – Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2024/11/11/peaceful-resolution-of-american-us-elections/
The most important election? – Defending Ideas https://sutherlandinstitute.org/the-most-important-election/