Defending Ideas

Hosted by Sutherland Institute

News Politics Society Culture

Website RSS feed

Episodes

158

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

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 .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 11, 202638 min

Why America needs a principled center-right | Todd Weiler

What 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 Institute and a member of the Utah State Senate. They discuss the future of the conservative movement, the importance of principled and evidence-based policymaking, and why states may be better positioned than Washington, D.C., to tackle some of America's biggest challenges by bringing policymaking closer to the people it affects.Weiler shares his vision for Sutherland and explains why Utah's experience – from family policy and religious freedom to immigration, affordability and a citizen legislature – offers lessons that other states and the nation can learn from.They also explore why returning to true center-right conservatism could be the way to fix many of the rifts in our current politics.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

August 4, 202643 min

Why our children need more education choices | Shaka Mitchell & Christine Cooke Fairbanks

No 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 speaks with Shaka Mitchell of the American Federation for Children and Sutherland Institute education policy fellow Christine Cook Fairbanks about the growing movement for education choice. They discuss how parents have driven recent reforms, the legal and political challenges facing education choice programs, the new federal education freedom tax credit, and how policymakers can build an education system that serves children rather than forcing every kid into the same model.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

July 28, 202639 min

Should county clerks be nonpartisan? | Kevin Johnson & Brian McKenzie

We 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 Nick Dunn sits down with Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the Election Reformers Network, and Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie to discuss whether county clerk elections should be nonpartisan. They explore the unique role of election administrators, the political pressures they can face, and whether removing party labels could strengthen public confidence in elections.Show notes: Reform Options for County Clerk Elections Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

July 21, 202642 min

How the federal government keeps expanding its power | Kevin Williamson & Bill Duncan

Why 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 directives from federal agencies can cause headaches for states, schools, businesses, and regular people. In this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn is joined by Kevin Williamson, National Correspondent at The Dispatch and Writer in Residence at Competitive Enterprise Institute, as well as Sutherland Institute constitutional law and religious freedom fellow Bill Duncan, to examine how federal guidance works and why it raises serious concerns about accountability and constitutional authority.They discuss regulatory “dark matter,” the decline of congressional responsibility, practical examples of federal agencies pressuring states, and how federalism, transparency, and a renewed commitment to separation of powers could help rein in Washington’s influence.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

July 14, 202638 min

Understanding the Supreme Court’s biggest decisions in 2026 | Dr. Matthew Brogdon & Bill Duncan

The 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 Constitutional Studies Dr. Matthew Brogdon and Sutherland Institute's Bill Duncan discuss several of the Supreme Court's most talked-about rulings this year. They unpack the legal reasoning behind the decisions on birthright citizenship, executive power, the Federal Reserve, and more. Brogdon and Duncan explain why many popular interpretations you see online often fall short, and how we should be thinking about these cases instead.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

July 7, 202639 min

The human benefits of AI | Shoshana Weissmann

Is 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 Policy Advisor at Abundance Institute, about the positive opportunities AI creates for workers, patients, creators, and entrepreneurs.Weissmann shares how AI has helped her navigate complex medical issues, as well as how she uses it every day to enhance her work. Dunn and Weissmann also discuss the principles that should guide smart AI policy so everyone can benefit from this technology.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

June 30, 202650 min

The Future of Conservatism: Principles, Populism, and the American Founding | Tim Chapman

Conservatism 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?In this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn sits down with Tim Chapman, president of Advancing American Freedom, to discuss the future of conservatism, the enduring principles of the American founding, the rise of populism, and why constitutional structure, federalism, and civic institutions remain essential to preserving liberty.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

June 23, 202644 min

The U.S. needs a new safety net | Angela Rachidi

Congress 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 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 empowerment accounts.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

June 16, 202647 min

The roadmap to restore trust in elections | Matthew Weil & Derek Monson

Election 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 Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn is joined by Matthew Weil, Vice President of Governance and Bipartisanship at the Bipartisan Policy Center, along with Sutherland Institute Executive Director Derek Monson.They discuss 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 maintaining trust in American elections.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

June 9, 202644 min

Rebuilding trust in America's elections | Ben Ginsberg & Bill Duncan

Debates over election integrity have dominated American politics for years. But beneath many of those disagreements lies a deeper constitutional question: who should be responsible for administering elections? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn is joined by Ben Ginsberg, Volker Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, election law expert, and former counsel to multiple Republican presidential campaigns, along with Bill Duncan, Sutherland Institute's Constitutional Law Fellow. Their 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 addressing election concerns moving forward.Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing