Defending Ideas
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How to keep politics civil at Thanksgiving
We explain how to lower the temperature, lead with deeply held principles, and how doing so strengthens relationships and our civic life.
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Can Washington’s shutdown revive federalism? | Jennifer Butler
A 43-day federal shutdown exposed how fragile state programs become when Washington can’t keep the lights on.
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Can Utah lead the way on education reform? | Molly Hart
Utah’s new state superintendent, Dr. Molly Hart, joins Nic Dunn and Christine Cooke Fairbanks to discuss the future of education in Utah.
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Can states solve America’s benefits cliffs crisis? | Keith Barnes
What parent would take a raise if it meant their family would be worse off? That’s the reality for many families facing the “benefits cliff.”
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Inside the federal government shutdown | Matt Weidinger
The federal government shutdown isn’t just a budget story, it’s a reflection of deeper challenges in how Congress governs.
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The public good of private faith | Bill Duncan and Sam Abrams
In today’s cultural climate, religion is often treated as a purely private matter — something best kept out of public life. But what if that assumption is missing the bigger picture?
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Beyond the rivalry: Presidents of BYU & Utah on building a better Utah
It’s rivalry week in Utah, but before the battle on the gridiron, the presidents of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah join the show to discuss collaboration.
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Rethinking welfare, upward mobility, and human dignity | Charles Murray
Most debates on poverty focus on small reforms to America’s welfare system. But what if the system itself is the problem?
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Free speech, civility, and civic courage | Rep. Celeste Maloy
Do you ever self-censor your political views because you’re worried about how others might react, or even fear backlash for sharing what you really believe?
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The redistricting battle: What does the constitution say? | Bill Duncan
As redistricting debates make headlines in Utah and across the nation, a deeper issue is being overlooked: Who really has the constitutional authority to draw electoral maps?