Defending Ideas: All Episodes
Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy.
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Understanding the Supreme Court’s biggest decisions in 2026 | Dr. Matthew Brogdon & Bill Duncan
Read More: Understanding the Supreme Court’s biggest decisions in 2026 | Dr. Matthew Brogdon & Bill DuncanBrogdon and Duncan explain why many popular interpretations you see online often fall short, and how we should be thinking about these cases instead.
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The human benefits of AI | Shoshana Weissmann
Read More: The human benefits of AI | Shoshana WeissmannNic Dunn and Shoshana Weissmann discuss the principles that should guide smart AI policy so everyone can benefit from this technology.
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The Future of Conservatism: Principles, Populism, and the American Founding | Tim Chapman
Read More: The Future of Conservatism: Principles, Populism, and the American Founding | Tim ChapmanConservatism is at a crossroads. Does it stick with Trump-style populism, or embrace the principles of limited, effective government that led to some of the movement’s biggest victories?
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The U.S. needs a new safety net | Angela Rachidi
Read More: The U.S. needs a new safety net | Angela RachidiAEI Senior Fellow Angela Rachidi joins host Nic Dunn to discuss benefit cliffs, the Upward Mobility Act, and whether state-led innovation could help more families achieve self-reliance through things like…
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The roadmap to restore trust in elections | Matthew Weil & Derek Monson
Read More: The roadmap to restore trust in elections | Matthew Weil & Derek MonsonThe conversation covers California’s ballot counting process, why states should learn from one another, a new survey on voter confidence, and why transparency, evidence, and citizen engagement remain essential to…
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Rebuilding trust in America’s elections | Ben Ginsberg & Bill Duncan
Read More: Rebuilding trust in America’s elections | Ben Ginsberg & Bill DuncanThe conversation explores the constitutional role of states in election administration, the limits of federal authority, the importance of institutional trust, and why federalism may offer a better framework for…
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What the Declaration of Independence still teaches us | Jay Lapeyre & Lawson Bader
Read More: What the Declaration of Independence still teaches us | Jay Lapeyre & Lawson BaderTheir conversation explores individual dignity, natural rights, constitutional self-government, and how a renewed focus on America’s founding principles could help reduce political division and strengthen civic culture for the next…
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Can a return to federalism fix our politics? | Rep. Ken Ivory & Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Read More: Can a return to federalism fix our politics? | Rep. Ken Ivory & Rep. Jennifer Dailey-ProvostIn this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn speaks with two Utah representatives, Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost and Rep. Ken Ivory, about polarization, congressional dysfunction, the role of states as laboratories…
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Who should protect kids online? | Joel Thayer & Chris Marchese
Read More: Who should protect kids online? | Joel Thayer & Chris MarcheseAs lawmakers debate how to protect children online, a major legal and constitutional question is emerging: should app stores be required to verify users’ ages and involve parents before minors…
