Defending Ideas
by Sutherland Institute
Latest episode
What does healthy masculinity look like? | Andrew Reiner
What does healthy masculinity look like? | Andrew Reiner
About this podcast
Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 170 episodes
- What does healthy masculinity look like? | Andrew Reiner · 45 minWhat messages are boys receiving about what it means to be a man? Today, a lot of boys are receiving mixed signals from our culture about masculinity and how men should behave…
- How states are trying to fix benefit cliffs | Josh Bandoch · 32 minHow are states trying to tackle benefit cliffs? In this episode of Defending Ideas, Josh Bandoch of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) discusses his new…
- Who runs elections best? A 50-state ranking | Chris McIsaac · 37 minWhich states have the strongest election policies? And what can they teach us about how elections should really be run? R Street Institute's Chris McIsaac joins Defending Ideas…
- Do religious institutions deserve constitutional protection? | William J. Haun & Bill Duncan · 36 minAre religious institutions afforded special rights under the Constitution? And what does that mean for religious liberty, the rule of law, and the role of government? On this…
- Will AI kill us in 10 years? | Chris Koopman & Ford Copple · 42 minIs AI really on track to destroy humanity, or are we confusing small risks with science fiction? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with Chris Koopman, CEO…
- Rethinking Head Start | Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams · 46 minHead Start is at the center of a heated public debate over federal regulations and how best to support families. But what exactly should the federal government do, and what…
- America has a community problem. Here’s why it matters | Michael Tanner · 41 minWhat would America look like without strong families, churches, civic organizations and local communities? We're starting to find out and the picture is...not good. But there is…
- Can states lead the next welfare reform movement? | Daniel Erspamer · 46 minAmerica’s social safety net is supposed to help families through difficult times, ultimately moving people toward work and independence. But navigating a maze of disconnected…
- Can the states fix what Washington can’t? | Sen. John Curtis · 46 minCould giving states more freedom to experiment help America find better answers to our toughest challenges? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Sen. John Curtis of Utah joins…
- The Next Welfare Reform: Paul Ryan on Work, Technology, and RISE Pilots · 42 minThirty years after the landmark welfare reform law, what should the next generation of social safety-net reform look like? Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan joins Defending…
- The hidden problem with America’s safety net | Erine Gray · 42 minAmerica spends a ton of money on our social safety net, yet many people still feel trapped. That means maybe the biggest problem isn't how much we spend. On this episode of…
- Why America needs a principled center-right | Todd Weiler · 39 minWhat can Utah teach America about the future of conservatism? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with Todd Weiler, the new president and CEO of Sutherland…
- Why our children need more education choices | Shaka Mitchell & Christine Cooke Fairbanks · 43 minNo two children learn exactly the same way. So why should families be expected to rely on a one-size-fits-all education system? In this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn…
- Should county clerks be nonpartisan? | Kevin Johnson & Brian McKenzie · 40 minWe want referees to enforce the rules, not play for one team. Should the same principle apply to county clerks and elections officials? In this episode of Defending Ideas, host…
- How the federal government keeps expanding its power | Kevin Williamson & Bill Duncan · 42 minWhy does the federal government keep expanding into every corner of our lives? It's not always by passing new laws. Guidance documents, letters, handbooks, and informal…
- Understanding the Supreme Court’s biggest decisions in 2026 | Dr. Matthew Brogdon & Bill Duncan · 39 minThe Supreme Court has spoken. And the internet has some...interesting opinions. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Utah Valley University's Senior Director of the Center for…
- The human benefits of AI | Shoshana Weissmann · 40 minIs artificial intelligence something to fear—or a tool to help us thrive? In this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn talks with Shoshana Weissmann, Digital Director and…
- The Future of Conservatism: Principles, Populism, and the American Founding | Tim Chapman · 51 minConservatism 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…
- The U.S. needs a new safety net | Angela Rachidi · 44 minCongress is considering a major anti-poverty reform: giving states more flexibility to redesign welfare and social safety net programs. In this episode, AEI Senior Fellow Angela…
- The roadmap to restore trust in elections | Matthew Weil & Derek Monson · 48 minElection integrity is back in the headlines. But beneath the political arguments lies a more important question: what actually builds trust in elections? On this episode of…
