Defending Ideas

Amid the ongoing discussions about challenges men and boys face in work, school, and other aspects of life, there’s a deeper question behind the statistics: what actually anchors young men and helps form their character? On this episode, host Nic Dunn and contributor Beth Akers sit down with Sam Abrams to discuss the formative role of families, faith, educational institutions, and mentorship in shaping men of character and purpose. They explore how changes in campus culture and the loss of brotherhood in many areas of public life have left many young men feeling adrift — and why rebuilding those anchors is essential. Sam is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a visiting fellow at the Sutherland Institute, and a professor of politics and social science at Sarah Lawrence College.Show notes:Micro-supports: A small idea that could change the future for young menNew national survey data sheds light on the “silent, struggling subset” of American menDefending 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.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.

As America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an important question remains: what do the nation’s founding principles have to say about the challenges we face today? On this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn is joined by Jay Lapeyre, co-founder of the Free Society Coalition, and Lawson Bader, president and CEO of DonorsTrust, to discuss the enduring ideas that shaped the American experiment. Their 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 250 years.Show notes:Free Society Coalition: The Philadelphia DeclarationDefending 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.

As 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 download apps? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn is joined by Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, Chris Marchese, founder and co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, and Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan for a thoughtful discussion about parental rights, free speech, consumer protection, and the growing debate over App Store accountability laws. Their conversation explores the tension between protecting children online and preserving constitutional freedoms in the digital age.Show notes:Why states are right on app store age lawsThe case for app store age verification to protect kids onlineFAQ: Utah’s app store age verification billApp store regulations are necessary, constitutional, and popularA deeper look at Utah voters’ support for requiring app stores to verify ageCongress should follow Utah’s lead on protecting kids online with app store lawDefending 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.

Many conversations about artificial intelligence focus on fear, risk, and worst-case scenarios. But what if we’re asking the wrong questions? Host Nic Dunn is joined by Bennett Borden, founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners, along with Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson, to explore how AI is already positively affecting health care, education, government, and family life. Their conversation examines the promise and risks of AI, the difference between regulating development versus deployment, and why Utah’s approach to AI governance is emerging as a national model for innovation and responsible policymaking. Show notes:Utah & AI: Doom or boom?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.

The U.S. Supreme Court is often portrayed as just another political battleground. But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of its role.On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn speaks with Sarah Isgur about her new book, Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court. They cover how the Court actually works and why it doesn’t fit neatly into today’s partisan narratives. They discuss the limits of outcome-based thinking, the importance of institutional independence, and what citizens can do to better understand and engage with one of the most important components of America's federal government.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.