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 technolog…

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. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman, and Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie. Together they address some of the co…

What is 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 …

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 t…

If you're frustrated with national politics, is a "reset" the answer? On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. John Curtis of Utah's Third Congressional District. Congressman Curtis tells the story of how his team changed how they conducted town halls, yielding vastly improved dialogue with constituents, and how it's a model for improving nati…

What is the proper role of the federal government? It's a question that impacts many of the national policy debates that top the news, and it was an important theme during Sutherland Institute's 2024 Congressional Series. This week, Nic Dunn sits down with Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah's Second Congressional District to get her insights on the proper …

Congress is approaching a major deadline with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire in 2025. What does this mean for Utahns and the upcoming elections in November? On this week's episode, we sit down with Rep. Blake Moore of Utah's First Congressional District to discuss reining in federal spending, how to reform social safety …

We often talk about the vital role parents play in directing the education of their children. But is this principle of parental engagement top of mind for policymakers in Washington, D.C.? On this episode we sit down with Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah's Fourth Congressional District to get his perspective on the education policy debates happening in o…

Parental engagement has huge benefits for students. But how easy is it for a parent to actually be involved in what his or her children are learning in school? On this episode, we hear from a Utah parent who shares the pros and cons of Utah’s current parent access resources. We also dive into new research from Sutherland Institute. Amy Wilson is a …

The cost of housing is a top concern for likely voters in Utah according to Sutherland Institute research. It’s easy for housing affordability to feel like an intractable issue, but one national expert argues that we can solve this policy challenge by reforming local zoning policies. Nic Dunn talks with Nolan Gray, former New York City planner and …

Education policy debates usually focus on funding. But what if there's a critical part of a good education system that has a huge impact on outcomes, and too often gets ignored? On this episode Nic Dunn sits down with Dr. Rich Nye, the new senior advisor for education to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, to discuss why the state is committed to elevating the …

If you’re worried about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, you’re not alone. But what if a solution to this electoral angst is a recommitment to the constitutional principle of federalism? On this episode, host Nic Dunn sits down with national federalism expert Tony Woodlief. Tony is Senior Executive Vice President for State Policy Netw…

Usually, getting paid more at work is a good thing. But for some people on government assistance, increasing the amount of income they earn can actually make them worse off. On this episode, we talk with someone who has experienced the safety-net benefits cliff to understand how it can affect decisions about work and economic opportunities. Nic Dun…

Every Pioneer Day, Utahns commemorate the pioneers who fled religious persecution to create a better, freer life in the West. This week, we're taking a special look at the current state of religious freedom to answer this question: How can we champion legal protections for religious freedom in a way that wins the support of critics? Nic Dunn welcom…

Utah's primary election was on June 25, but there are still ongoing disputes over the outcomes of two high-profile races. On this episode, we equip you to use a constitutional lens to evaluate any instance in which an election outcome is questioned or even challenged. Host Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson to discuss Utah'…

If you’re frustrated with politics, you’re not alone. But there’s a way to fix America’s broken political culture, and it’s more straightforward than you think. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said in his 2022 State of the State address that “if America is the last great hope of the world, then Utah is the last great hope of America.” That’s because in many …

Federal government agencies will have a little less power thanks to a new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. Will this be a good thing for Americans? On this episode, Nic Dunn talks with Deseret News Assistant Managing Editor and reporter Kelsey Dallas and Sutherland Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan to break down the cou…

A question that often comes up in an election year is whether to make any changes to voting and election policy. On this episode we survey different approaches to the primary election process, with a focus on how to improve the voter experience and increase public trust. Host Nic Dunn sits down with R Street Institute’s Matt Germer and Sutherland I…

A new lawsuit is threatening to take away Utah's education choice program. But is the challenge on solid legal footing? On this episode, we examine the constitutional claims of the Utah Education Association's new lawsuit against the Utah Fits All scholarship program. Two Sutherland Institute scholars – Education Policy Fellow Christine Cooke Fairb…

Most policy debates about upward mobility cover things like education, workforce programs, or tax policy. Too often, they ignore what's actually the most important variable that impacts outcomes for the next generation: family. On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Melissa Kearney to discuss her new book The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans S…

Do parents have the right to know what their children are learning in school? Public school curriculum transparency has become a hotly debated topic in recent years. But there may actually be a consensus approach that helps make curriculum transparency broadly popular across the political spectrum. Sutherland Education Policy Fellow Christine Cooke…

It feels like there is very little common ground on most policy and political issues these days. But poverty could be an area where there is more consensus than you might think. On this episode we profile seven common ground solutions to poverty that should reshape debate about the health of the American Dream. Nic Dunn is joined by two experts fro…

Is religion's impact on society overall a force for good? Some say no. A recent survey shows that 40% of Americans thought religion’s influence was more negative than positive. On this episode, we explore new research that catalogs how far-reaching the positive impacts of religion are for individuals, families and communities. Sutherland Constituti…

College campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas continue to make headlines. Do these protests stand in opposition to American principles? On this episode we discuss the proper role of formative institutions like universities, what the Constitution teaches us about the right way to express political views, and how to assess the recent …

Do you think you'll be able to retire comfortably in the future? This question is directly related to the ongoing debate over Social Security reform. On this episode we sit down with an expert to dispel some of the myths about the state of retirement today and offer a framework for how to fix Social Security before it's too late. Nic Dunn is joined…

Education choice has exploded in popularity across the nation in recent years. So why does it remain a contentious point of debate in some parts of the country? Nic Dunn sits down with experts in two states to compare notes on differing approaches to putting more power in the hands of parents to direct how, where and in what way their children lear…

It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat. This oft-quoted phrase has been articulated as a guiding principle by many elected officials wading into voting and election policy debates in recent years. So why has this issue been so contentious, and what’s the solution? Nic Dunn sits down with Justin Jones, executive director of the Gary R. Herbert …

Is raising the minimum wage a good tool to help low-income workers achieve upward mobility? That's the key question at the heart of the debate over California's new $20-an-hour minimum wage law for fast food workers. Economist Beth Akers joins host Nic Dunn to explore the arguments on both sides and explore the unintended consequences of this polic…

Most people would agree that civility seems to be in short supply in our current political environment. But in recent years, a growing chorus of voices across the political spectrum has been calling for a return to principles of civility in politics, as well as all areas of public life. This week's guest is Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of C…

Do we need to reinvigorate the conservative movement, and is "Freedom Conservatism" the answer? This week's Defending Ideas episode addresses both of those questions and helps equip listeners to apply long-standing American principles to what seem like intractable modern political and policy challenges. Nic Dunn is joined by John Hood, one of the l…

Is it harder to raise kids today than it was in years or decades past? For many current or prospective parents, this question may often be top of mind as they navigate decisions about marriage and family. Tim Carney joins host Nic Dunn on this week's Defending Ideas episode to discuss his new book: Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Ki…

Housing affordability is one of the most important issues for Utah voters, and for too many families, owning a home may feel out of reach. Amid rising housing costs, many Utahns are wondering what can be done to make homeownership more affordable. On this episode, Nic Dunn welcomes back AEI Senior Fellow and Defending Ideas Feature Contributor Beth…

With Utah's 2024 legislative session now in the rearview mirror, what actually passed, and will it benefit Utahns? Sutherland Institute was involved with legislation impacting issues including religious freedom, family policy, education and elections. On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Sutherland's policy experts to profile these issues and d…

Education has become one of the most polarized issues in state and national politics in recent years. 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? Rick Hess joins Nic Dunn on this week's episode to discuss his new book,…

What is going on at the U.S./Mexico border in Texas? 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. On this episode, Deseret News Politics Reporter Brigham Tomco joins…

Should municipal governments be allowed to use ranked choice voting for local elections? The Utah State Legislature has recently taken up the question. 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. Host Nic Dunn is joined by Josh Da…

What if many of the challenges American society is facing today – declining happiness, "deaths of despair," eroding civic engagement, insufficient upward mobility – all tie back to one major institution? Brad Wilcox returns to the show to discuss his new book: "Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civiliz…

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." Sen. Todd Weiler joins host Nic Dunn to discuss Senate Bill 150 Exercise of Religion Amendments, which would create a higher standard in the law to prevent und…

What are the right ingredients for creating the best chance of upward mobility for the most people? Policy experts and elected officials trying to reduce poverty have asked versions of this question for decades. There's a strong argument to be made that Utah has the answer. A new report from the Archbridge Institute ranks social mobility in all 50 …

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? On this episode we explore why the national effort to address poverty started with laudable goals, h…

Pari Singh is the CEO of Flow Engineering NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: - https://www.joshuasutherland.com/newsletter/ TRANSCRIPT AND EPISODE DETAILS: - https://www.thesystemsengineeringpodcast.com/podcast-012/ EPISODE LINKS: - Flow Engineering: https://flowengineering.com/ - Pari’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parisingh/ OUTLINE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:0…

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 as well as discussions on the role of things like work requirements. Utah has an answer to this question, and on this episode we explain why many other states are looking to Utah's unique approach to welfare and…

Are you better off today than you were four years ago? This is a common question voters hear from candidates during an election year. But on this episode, two economists ask that question, then try to answer it using economic data. They say the evidence shows that overall the economy is showing signs of strength, but there's a disconnect: Regular A…

Ivan Mactaggart was INCOSE UK President 2016 – 2018. NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: - https://www.joshuasutherland.com/newsletter/ TRANSCRIPT AND EPISODE DETAILS: - https://www.thesystemsengineeringpodcast.com/podcast-011/ EPISODE LINKS: - INCOSE UK (to be renamed IfSE): https://INCOSEuk.org/ - Ivan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmactaggart/ OUTL…

As the policy implications of intact families gain traction in public debate, one positive impact of healthy marriages and strong families often gets ignored: civic engagement. This week, guest Brandon Dabling sits down with Nic Dunn to discuss how the institution of marriage and family impacts the civic health of the United States. Brandon is an i…

Public discussions of "the good life" usually center on things like a quality job, decent pay and other benefits that are primarily material. But what if – as a society – we're missing the things that truly impact happiness and human flourishing? Even when we discuss what's been described as America's "loneliness epidemic," too often the importance…

New survey data shows that a majority of likely voters in Utah support the concepts of the success sequence and approve of teaching them in schools. So, when critics still push back against the sequence – education, work, and marriage before kids – as one of the best frameworks for avoiding poverty and living a successful and happy life, what's the…

Debates about family policy often focus on an array of programs or interventions like licensed child care, pre-K or the K-12 education system. But all too often, the family itself as an optimal environment for the healthy development of young children – and a fundamental institution of civil society – gets left out of the discussion. This week’s gu…

Many public policy debates in recent years have focused on the concept of equity, and what impact race and ethnicity have on opportunity for the next generation. This week's podcast guest believes we need to replace equity with agency, as a more compelling – and more effective – vision to help young people of all races lead successful and fulfillin…

Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home. Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also retur…